April 08 2025

Tuesday April 08

A Call to Bear Fruit

Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

Jesus follows His urgent call to repentance in Luke 13:1-5, with a parable about a barren fig tree. After challenging the crowd to stop judging others’ tragedies and focus on their own need to turn to God, He now paints a vivid picture of patience, judgment, and opportunity. This open-ended story reveals much about God’s heart, our responsibility, and the urgency of bearing fruit for His glory.

Jesus begins, “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. Then he said to the vinedresser, ‘Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why does it cumber the ground?’” (Luke 13:6-7). In Jewish law (Leviticus 19:23-25), a new tree’s fruit wasn’t eaten for three years, the fourth year’s crop went to God, and the owner enjoyed it from the fifth year on. This owner had waited seven years—far beyond the norm—yet the tree remained barren. Frustrated, he orders it cut down, tired of it wasting good soil.

But the story doesn’t end there. The vinedresser intercedes: “Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it. And if it bears fruit, well; and if not, then after that you shall cut it down” (Luke 13:8-9). The parable stops abruptly, leaving us to ponder the outcome. Did the tree bear fruit? Was it spared or chopped down? Jesus leaves it open-ended, shifting the focus from the tree’s fate to ours.

This parable speaks on two levels: to the nation of Israel and to us as individuals. For Israel, the fig tree was a symbol (Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:18-20). God, the owner, had lavished it with unique blessings—covenants, commandments, patriarchs, prophets, and priests (Romans 9:1-5). Unlike Gentile nations left to fend for themselves, Israel was planted in fertile soil to bless the world. Jesus, the vinedresser, spent three years of ministry crossing the land, teaching with unmatched wisdom and working miracles like no one else. Yet, the nation remained barren, rejecting Him in unbelief. “Why does it cumber the ground?” it was asked—Israel wasn’t just fruitless; it spoiled the soil by failing its calling.

Still, God’s patience shines through. The vinedresser pleads for one more year—more time to dig, fertilize, and nurture. This mirrors the forty years after Jesus’ ministry when the early church, starting with a Jewish remnant at Pentecost, preached the gospel powerfully to the nation. But rejection persisted. By AD 70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple—the tree was cut down. God’s grace had limits; judgment came when the borrowed time ran out.

On a personal level, this parable is a mirror. God is gracious and long-suffering (2 Peter 3:9), doing more than enough to draw us to repentance and fruitfulness (Matthew 3:7-10). He has every right to cut us down for our barrenness, yet in mercy, He spares us. The three years might reflect Jesus’ ministry in our lives—His presence, teaching, and Spirit working to produce fruit like love, faith, and obedience. The extra year is His ongoing patience, giving us time to respond. But we can’t presume on His kindness forever—judgment will come (James 5:9).

The open ending is intentional. Like the Book of Jonah, it forces us to finish the story with our own lives. The question isn’t “What happened to the tree?” but “What will happen to me?” God seeks fruit—real, tangible evidence of a changed life. He won’t accept substitutes like excuses or good intentions. When we hear of tragedies claiming lives, we should ask, “Am I just taking up space, or am I bearing fruit for God’s glory?” The time to repent and grow is now—“Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Closing Challenge

Reflect on your own “fig tree” this week. Where is God seeking fruit in your life—perhaps in your relationships, service, or devotion? Identify one barren area and take a step to nurture it—pray for strength, serve someone, or root out a sin. Don’t let this extra year pass fruitlessly; respond to His patience with action today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience, sparing us when we deserve judgment. Like the vinedresser, You tend us with grace, seeking fruit. Forgive our barrenness and stir us to repent and grow. Help us bear fruit that glorifies You—love, faith, and obedience. Give us urgency to act now, trusting Your mercy won’t last forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God bless!