HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
In this extended passage, Jesus has condemned the impenitence of the Jewish nation and has called them to change their minds and hearts and return to God. With this parable, Jesus warns them that the forbearance and patience of God has its limits and will soon come to an end. His longsuffering has been bountiful toward them, but the time of His judgment is coming. In the parable, the keeper of the vineyard likely represents Jesus, Who has come to give personal attention to the fig tree, representing the Jewish nation, to prune and feed, to nurture and fertilize, in hopes that the tree will be revived and begin to bear good fruit. If it does not, then it will be cut down and destroyed. While this parable speaks directly to the Jewish nation of Jesus’ day, it certainly has an application for all of us. Anyone who finds himself away from God and not serving Him faithfully is in the perilous position of the fruitless fig tree. Thus far, God has been patient with us, but a time of judgment is coming. With that in mind, we must heed the warning of Jesus and be sure that we are faithfully bearing fruit for the master.
What does it mean to bear fruit for God?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
