Luke 13

Posted on Mar 21, 2017 in Bible (NT) in a Year |

Tuesday

So what does Jesus have against fig trees?

It was interesting that on the day I was to read and blog on this chapter, I’m sitting at a conference for the Free Methodist Church and the Bishop preaches on this chapter and talks about figs. It had not occurred to me until he has mentioned it, that Jesus seems to have a thing against fig trees (ie. Matthew 21:19). But the true lesson here is about repentance and not about trying to kill off figs. As the parable mentions there was a man who owned a vineyard and in it was a fig tree. (Just a curiosity note, why is there a fig tree in a vineyard? – I’ll let you think about that.) It wasn’t producing any fruit. For three years it was just taking up the nutrients from the soil and not showing anything for it.

So, the kind gardener wants to give this tree another chance. A chance to change its way and start producing. This is a period of grace. If after another year, with the gardener’s careful tending there is nothing to show for it… well, you understand.

Three years is significant because that is how long Jesus has been teaching and preaching, it was three years that John the Baptist preached repentance, too.  Jesus is saying that the Jews have been given three years, but they aren’t repenting and there is no fruit being produced as an outcome of changed hearts.

If there is no change in the way we talk or act in our everyday lives, then it is very likely we have not repented and have not let the transforming power of the Holy Spirit work in our lives.

God, who is so loving and gracious, wants to give us time to repent and to start showing the results.

That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote,

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Are you a fruit producing Christian?

Blessings on the day!

Pastor Kathy

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