A Cornucopia of Fruit

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13: 6-9 ESV)

Jesus loved to use parables, and I love His parables. They are such an excellent tool for teaching. One thing with parables is that we should not try to allegorize them; we need to read them for what they are unless Jesus allegorizes them for us. With that said, this is a favorite parable of mine. Through this parable, Jesus tells us that our chance to bear fruit does not last forever. If we fail to bear fruit, God sees we do not know him or care about our place with him. The owner planted a fig tree in the parable; three years later, it had not bore fruit. Since figs bear every year, it is doubtful that it would ever bear fruit. Yet the vinedresser asked for a little more time to fertilize the tree and work it to see if he could not get it to bear fruit. If it did not bear fruit, the vinedresser would cut it down.

As Jesus told this parable, the tree represented Israel. You see, Israel was not producing good fruit. The owner, God, was becoming impatient and was on the verge of cutting them down. The one chance was Jesus. Christ had come in the flesh to redeem Israel. Most of Israel refused Jesus and did not heed the warnings. They perished in 70 A.D. when God’s judgment fell in the form of the Romans.

Jesus is coming back, and many are running out of time. We see it in our society. When God places the opportunity to bear fruit before you take it, God will smile upon you, and you will feel great doing the Lord’s work. Yes, we all are busy, and yes, we are tired. Many of us are getting older and suffer from ailments, aches, and pains, but we can still serve the Lord. Even if it is something you may have never done before, try it; you just might enjoy it.

As Paul wrote in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Our works are not to boast; our results are not for men but for the Lord. My works are often done in secret, not to be shared with anyone. I believe the Lord knows my heart and all I do in His name.

Peace!