Barren Fig Tree

Then Jesus told this story: "A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, 'I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's just taking up space in the garden.' "The gardener answered, 'Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.'"  Luke 13:6-9 

My sweet husband gave me a fig tree this summer for my birthday! Already we have been so blessed with a few ripe figs—small, but very tasty! I am thrilled since I love figs! My Grand kiddos have been equally excited about picking and eating them! I can image how disappointed this man was at not having any figs on the tree when he was hungry for figs…and the tree was barren. Three years seems like a long time to wait for figs…or any fruit.  

This parable isn’t really about figs…but the fig tree represents the nation of Israel and the story is about being spiritually fruitful. Jesus spoke right before this about repenting. He wanted the Jews to be obedient. Repent or perish (Luke 13:5). He was giving them another chance. According to the Biblical commentator Matthew Henry, this fig tree is grown in a garden well-tended by the gardener. The church of God is the garden and we are the fig trees planted in that garden. He expects us to produce fruit—giving Him glory and honor. Three years the owner, God, came and found no fruit. That is very sad. No fruit—no honoring God. Are we like that? God wanted the tree cut down, but the gardener, Jesus, wanted to give that fig tree another year—another chance. That’s our Lord Jesus—the giver another chance. Giving us special attention so that we can use our opportunities to honor the Heavenly Father—to produce fruit. Are you producing fruit? The fruit of the Spirit.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Let the Holy Spirit work in your life…produce His fruit. 

Prayer ~ Lord, may Your Grace be evident in my life and change me—that I would honor You in everything I think, say and do.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 35-36

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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