Written for the Glory of God by Rev. Dan Baer
At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them — do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
-Luke 13:1-9 (NRSV)
You are Worthy
I find it interesting in this parable that there is a fig tree planted in a vineyard. Why would someone plant a fig tree in the middle of grapes? The primary focus would be on the grapes, so it would be natural that the fig tree wouldn’t receive any attention. It never had the opportunity to produce fruit.
The owner of the vineyard sees that the tree isn’t doing any good and immediately says, “Cut it down!” However, the one who is tending to the vineyard, realizes that the tree hasn’t had a chance to produce because all of the attention has been on the grapes.
So, he convinces the owner to let him tend to the tree for a year and see what happens. The gardener sees the worth of the tree. He wants to give the tree a chance to produce when it has been properly nurtured.
What would it be like if we did the same for people? Every single person is created in the image of God. How would our attitudes towards others be reflected, how would others’ self-esteem be lifted, if we treated everyone as if they were worthy? We don’t just give up on people. We consider them an important part of God’s creation that need some nurturing.
When I was serving at St. Luke in Goldsboro, we tutored students at Dillard Middle School. I remember the first day of tutoring — the young man I was assigned was acting up. He was swearing and being very disrespectful. The counselor had to pull him out of the class because it was disruptive for others. The next week we went back. The young man comes in, sees me and says, “You came back!” We had a great relationship for the next two years. Why? Because I knew that he was worthy. I didn’t give up on him. And guess what, God doesn’t give up on us either!
Heavenly Father, help us to see the worth in all of your children and may we nurture them as you have nurtured us. Amen.
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