The Fig Tree

Luke 13:6-9

“6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 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?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

I have often wondered if the gardener resolved the problem or cut the fig tree down.  All gardeners love their plants and cutting one down is very hard.  We have all had plants or shrubs in our yards that will not grow or flower or bear fruit, no matter how much we baby them. 

Our plants are precious to us, and when we finally realize that this plant is never going to be what it is supposed to be, we still hesitate before we cut it down.  We hesitate because we have this picture in our heads of this plant with beautiful blooms and green leaves, and limbs filled with fruit.

This is how God sees us, and this is why he forgives us time after time for our shortcomings.  This is why he gives us his Holy Spirit, why he speaks to us through his word, and why he leads us into the lives of others and leads others into our lives at just the right moment.  

God wants us to bloom and bear fruit.  And, during our lifetime, God will never give up on us.  

We are all precious in his sight.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)