Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Genesis 15-17
     New Testament Reading: Luke 13

And he told this parable: A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He told the vineyard worker, “Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?” But he replied to him, “Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down” (Luke 13: 6-9).

In the thirteenth chapter of Luke, we have this short parable. Even though it’s short, it has two powerful messages for us.

First, it shows us the two sides to God’s nature. A man planted a fig tree in his vineyard, which is fairly common in Israel even today because the soil is fertile, and the fig trees grow well. It provides the owner a second crop, and the large fig tree provides much-needed shade for the workers in the vineyard.

According to Jewish Law, fruit from newly planted trees was not to be eaten for three years. Then, the fourth year, the fruit was to be given as an offering to God. A farmer could not gather figs until the fifth year. But this man had now been waiting seven years and upon the urging of his servant, he waited another year.

God is compassionate, He is merciful, He is patient, He is loving towards his creation. The Apostle Peter wrote, “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Yet we must not presume upon the kindness and long-suffering of God, for just like this farmer who is ready to cut down the fig tree, a day of judgment will finally come for all of us.The writer of Hebrews declared, “And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

Yes, God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but He is also just. He’s a God of wrath, a God of judgment, and judgment will come. Moses wrote about these two sides to God’s nature, “The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished.” (Numbers 14:18)

Second, in this parable, we learn of the faithful servant, pleading with his master to give him one more year to nurture this tree. Remember the ‘Parable of the Sower’ back in Luke chapter eight? Jesus explained the soil was like the hearts of people. As servants of God, Christians are to be faithful in their work to nurture people and to pray for them. We need to evangelize, disciple, teach, and encourage one another.

Significantly, the parable is left open-ended. Did the tree finally beat fruit? Did the special care accomplish anything? Was the tree spared or cut down? We have no way to know the answer to these questions, but we can answer for our own lives. The question is not, what happened to the tree? but what will happen to me? Are you like this tree just taking up space, or are you bearing fruit for God’s Glory?