The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:8-9,
"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it [a barren fig tree] 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.'"
Here is the response of the man who took care of a vineyard for its owner. In the vineyard a fig tree had been planted and the owner wanted to have it removed after expecting fruit from it but not finding any for three years, "Cut it down!". In this parable Jesus said the caretaker of the vineyard told the owner to give it another year, he would work with it to see if it would bear fruit.
This speaks to me of a few things about the Lord. The first is that he has an expectation that we bring to fruition that which he as created us for. Just as the vineyard owner expected what he wanted from the fig tree, so God expects we fulfill our purpose in this life by embracing him in faith and joining his family. I find that thought captured in a comment Jesus gave his followers, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:29.
The second is that just as the vineyard owner decided he wanted to cut down the unproductive fig tree and cast it out of his vineyard, so he will judge anyone who does not embrace him in faith. I am reminded of Jesus words in the sermon on the mount, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 7:19. We read of God's judgment in Revelation 20:15, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
A third thought that comes to mind is the intercession of the man who took care of the vineyard in behalf of this unproductive tree. He tells the vineyard owner he will dig around it and fertilize it. Whatever it takes, the man will do his best to bring this tree into a condition where it fulfilled the purpose for which it was planted. Likewise, I am reminded of all Jesus does to draw us to himself, that fulfills the purpose for that which God has brought us into existence. Jesus said in John 12:32, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." Jesus also said he would send the Holy Spirit, "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." John 16:8-11. Jesus does all he can to bring us to the purpose for which we were created. The choice remains ours, but look at what he has done to draw us to himself!
A fourth thought is the patience and forbearance of God. Just as the vineyard owner kept coming back year after year for three years to look for fruit, and assuming his agreeing with the caretaker of the vineyard for another year, so we see God's patience in waiting for us to come to him. In pointing to his reader's need of salvation, Paul says, "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Romans 2:4. Likewise Peter tells us, "He [the Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b.
This is a beautiful parable that tells us much about God's patience as well as his expectations of us. I do acknowledge that at the end of it the caretaker of the vineyard told the vineyard owner that if the fig tree did not bear fruit within the next year, "then cut it down." Our God is a loving, kind and patient God. However, there is a limit to God's patience, the end of which is found in a fiery lake of burning sulfur we read of in Revelation 21:8.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
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