The Barren Fig Tree

April 20

Joshua 1-3

Psalm 49:1-9

Proverbs 11:22-23

Luke 13:1-17

The Barren Fig Tree

“And He was telling this parable:  A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and did not find any.  And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree without finding any.  Cut it down!  Why does it even use up the ground?’  And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in manure, and if it bears fruit next year, fine, but if not, cut it down.’”  Luke 13:6-9  LSB

Jesus used this parable to illustrate the importance of repentance and bearing fruit.  He warned that those who don’t repent will perish.  However, He emphasized the patience and longsuffering of God who wants all to come to repentance.  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9 LSB  The vineyard owner in the parable represents God who expects fruit from His children.  The gardener represents Jesus, who works in hearts giving them opportunities for repentance and growth and who intercedes on behalf of people to His Father.  The fig tree represents the nation of Israel and individuals who have not repented and aren’t bearing fruit.  Fruit in the parable represents good deeds and a life of obedience and faith. 

            In the parable, the vineyard owner comes to the vineyard wanting to see fruit on his fig tree.  He had waited patiently for three years for the tree to bear fruit and still there was none.  The three years is significant because Jesus had been preaching the message of repentance for three years and yet the Pharisees and religious leaders refused to repent and believe.  They rejected their long-awaited Messiah because they were offended by the idea that they needed to repent.  They did not bear fruit because their faith was not authentic.  They had devised a system of righteousness based on works that grieved the heart of God. They did not understand that they could not earn their way to God.  In the parable, the gardener, Jesus, pleaded one more time on the fig tree’s behalf.  There was still a few months left before Jesus’ death and resurrection.  He was hopeful that their eyes would be opened and that they would believe and turn to Him.  Unfortunately, most of the Jews rejected Him and never believed.   

            This parable teaches that repentance is necessary to come to God.  There must be a recognition that we are dead in our sin and we have no hope apart from the saving grace of Jesus.  God is patient and gives people multiple opportunities to repent and come to faith, but if they refuse to respond there will come a time when His patience runs out.  We should not assume that we have unlimited time to repent and believe but should take advantage of His grace when it is offered.  “Seek Yahweh while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”  Isaiah 55:6 LSB The evidence of true repentance and faith is fruit.  As followers of Christ, our desire should be to live a life of obedience to God that produces good works and service to those around us.  “Faith without works is dead.”  James 2:26 LSB  Good works do not produce salvation, rather salvation produces good works.