“Then Jesus 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 worker who tended the vineyard, “For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue to deplete the soil?” But the worker answered him, “Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. Then if it bears fruit next year, very well, but if not, you can cut it down.”’” —Luke 13:6–9
Jesus’ main point here is that judgment will come to non-fruit bearers. Scripture continually teaches us the importance of a walk that matches our talk. The fact is, talk is cheap. It is easy to talk about the truth, but difficult to live it. A person will live out what he or she believes. This is precisely why John the Baptist cried out to the Pharisees (the religious leaders of his day):
“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’” —Matthew 3:7–10
We are all sinners in need of a Savior! Not one of us is righteous in our own standing. These religious leaders believed they were safe because of their ancestry. After all, they were children of Abraham. Jesus came and confronted this way of thinking. In His talk with Nicodemus, one of Israel’s teachers, He said:
“I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he” Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’” —John 3:3–7
No one receives preferential treatment. We all come to the cross as sinners. Since this is the sad state of every unbeliever, those who have been redeemed through faith in Christ, those who are children of the King, those who belong to Jesus, should indeed “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). There certainly should be a difference in the life of one who is redeemed that ultimately points others to Christ. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be made manifest in our lives.
In this parable, it was God who came to look for the fruit. This fig tree was planted in His vineyard using up His good soil. It was given an advantage over the fig tree that perhaps grew by the side of the road. God requires and expects fruit from those He has planted in His vineyard. It dishonors Him when we enjoy the privileges of the gospel and yet do not live out its truths. In our parable for today, the landowner had been patient. He had waited three years and had not found any fruit. He had not been overly ambitious in His expectations, He merely expected fruit. Not only was no fruit produced, but His good soil had also been wasted.
Judgment is passed against it: “You can cut it down.” Barren trees are to be cut down because there is no place for purposeless trees in God’s vineyard.
Become More
Enter the Jesus, the intercessor, the caretaker of the vineyard! He asks for a reprieve. He is our great Intercessor! He is our example to follow in pleading for others. We owe it to Jesus that barren trees are not immediately cut to the ground. He prays for a merciful reprieve and His prayer is reinforced by His endeavor to save the tree. What are you doing to intercede for the barren fig trees in your life?
Further Reflections
“For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned” —Hebrews 6:7–8
“Unfruitful professors of religion, if after long unfruitfulness they will repent, and change, and bring forth fruit, shall find all is well. God will be pleased; minister’s hands will be strengthened. There will be joy in heaven for it; the ground will be no longer used up, but bettered, and vineyard beautified, and the good trees in it made better. As for the tree itself, it is well for it; it shall receive the blessing of God; it shall be purged, and shall bring forth fruit.” —Matthew Henry