Figs

"Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
“ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”
Luke 13:6-9

I for one am glad for God's patience with us.

The man in the parable was losing patience with his fig tree - I mean fig trees are supposed to bear figs after all. His tree had not been giving him figs for 3 years. That's a long time - considerably longer when you consider Leviticus 19: 23-25which sets out some laws regarding trees and fruit. Fruit from newly planted trees was not to be eaten for the first 3 years, and in the 4th year, all the fruit was to be given to the Lord. Since he hadn't been getting his fruit for 3 years, it's likely that his tree was 7 years barren. His solution...cut it down, it's fruitless and taking up valuable soil nutrients.

Agriculturally speaking - does this make sense? Actually, yeah, it does make sense. Chances are pretty good that the tree will not produce fruit after not having done so for three years. In fact, it could be argued that this man was more than patient already for letting it go 7 years.

But then, an unnamed individual begs for more patience - one more year with extra special care, and then if there was still no fruit, cut it down. One more year than the tree deserved. One extra year of care and special tending doing whatever possible to coax fruit from the barren tree.

As Christians, we are called to bear fruit. Fruit of character action like love, kindness, gentleness, self-control etc. In short we are to live our lives like Jesus did - holy and righteous. To not do so is to live as a barren tree - one that is intended to bear fruit, but not doing so. The reality of this parable is that God has the right to cut us down whenever He pleases. He planted us for the purpose of bearing fruit, and if we do not do so, we are fit to be cut down in judgment - and be sure that judgment will come.

I for one am glad that God is patient with us.

Jesus came that we might be fruitful. Jesus begs with the Father for patience and long suffering. Jesus nurtures and cares for us, kind of like digging a trench around us and fertilizing us. He does everything He can to allow us to produce fruit. Yet, all to often we still resist, don't we. God, by all rights, should have cut us down long ago - but He has not. Instead, He continues to show us patience and love and nurture. Yet, we shouldn't take His mercy for granted, for judgment is assuredly coming.

In the midst of God's loving patience, may you endeavor to be fruitful for God.

Be God's, Scott