Written for the Glory of God by Carol Haven
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
-Luke 13:6-9
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
To this day fig trees in Israel are abundant and favored as a major agricultural product. In Jesus’ time they were symbolic of Israel’s peace, prosperity, and faithfulness to their covenant with God.
The parable of the fruitless fig tree is also recorded in Matthew and Mark, in which the trees are cursed by Jesus and they wither and die. Whereas in Luke the tree seemingly, by grace, is given a second chance. I favor this rendition of the parable because of my gratitude to the Lord for my second, third, fourth, and more chances to be fruitful and useful.
Actually, several years ago I planted a fig tree, but because it is located in a shady location, it is not a fruitful tree. It needs sun to be fruitful. As I apply that to my spiritual life, my life-giving sun is daily reading and contemplating God’s Word, something Andy and I enjoy doing together. Also, I’ve been wonderfully blessed by my years in lectio Bible study with friends sharing their insightfulness and their care.
Galatians 5:17 tells us that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Luke 6:45 tells us that a good person produces good from the treasure of the heart.
That sort of goodness was exemplified in my Mennonite friend, Goldie. She thanked God for each person that she would meet that day, and I witnessed her kindness, just as she had planned and prepared.
Being a faithful, fruitful, and loving person is the challenge of my life. St. John of the Cross wrote: “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”
Loving Lord, dwell in me so that I may be a loving sign of your presence to others.
Related Posts
