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PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE – REPENT TODAY!
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Luke 13:1-9

Memory verse: Luke 13:8-9

 

“And if it bear fruit, well:
and if not…

thou shalt cut it down.”

 

PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE – REPENT TODAY!
 
Planting a fig tree in vineyards is not uncommon for many practical reasons. A fig tree improves soil health, encourages biodiversity, enhances grape quality and provides additional revenue since figs are desirable. However, this fig tree did not provide any of the above benefits in the vineyard. The fig tree appeared to be dead. The owner who planted the fig tree expected to see some fruit but found none. Figs usually appear before the leaves. They will be the first sign that the fruit season is coming. If the fig tree is dead, then its purpose in the vineyard is lost. It becomes a cumbersome tree taking in the nutrients from the soil when it is supposed to enhance it, not deplete it.
 
The fig tree represents Israel. The vineyard is the world. The owner of the vineyard is the Lord Jesus Christ or God.
 
The owner had been seeking fruit from the fig tree for three years. He found none. Christ had been ministering in Israel for the past three years. The leaders of Israel had the Word of God (the Old Testament). They should have recognised Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, i.e. the Christ (in Greek). For the past three years, the Lord had taught, preached the Word of God and evidenced His claim to be God incarnate by His miracles, yet they refused to see. They refused to believe. Israel was founded to bring blessings, just as the fig tree is planted to bring blessings. The fig tree is useless if it cannot recognise and believe in the Messiah. What is the point of Israel’s existence if it cannot recognise the Messiah? God created and brought Israel into existence, with everything in Israel ordained by God. Israel’s holy days, dietary laws, dress code, manner of worship, etc., are all spiritual to show the world that Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away their sins. Israel’s behaviour, i.e. her fruits, must manifest the glory of God’s love in Christ to the world dying in sin. If she fails to do this, then Israel might as well cease to exist now that Christ has already come! But the dresser in the parable asked the owner to give the tree one more year. If there was still no fruit, let it be cut down. Thus, God replaced Israel with the church witness.
 
THOUGHT: Repent today; do not think I have tomorrow.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my sins for Christ’s sake. Amen.

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