The Parable of The Fig Tree.
The parable of the fig tree is quite short, but its meaning is significant. Stephen shows how the parable is relevant for us today.
The Barren Fig Tree
We are continuing our look at the parables of Jesus. In this post, we will look at a short parable that is found in Luke 13, about a barren fig tree. First though, a look at the lead up to why Jesus tells this story, as it gives us a great deal of information as to what the parable is about.
In Luke 13: 1-5 we read,
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Luke 13: 1-5
Killed by Pilate
Here, Jesus is told of a group of people in Galilee who Pilate had killed while they worshipped. At the time, as is usually the case now, people would tend to think that when such things happened, it was God judging them for something horrible they had done. The book of Job gives a great example of this thinking, as Job is hit by immense suffering, losing all he has, losing ten children all in one day then becoming infected with painful sores over his entire body.
Most of the book reveals the dialogue between Job and three of his so-called friends who repeatedly tell Job he must have done some great sin to cause all this calamity to fall on him. The book of Job tells us that wasn’t the case, God Himself even referred to Job as righteous, and here in Luke Jesus declares that these men were no worse sinners than anyone else. But he also gives a warning, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. To further illustrate this truth, Jesus then proceeds to speak this parable.
Jesus Tells a Parable
And he told this parable:
A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’
Luke 13:6-9
How God Operates
Once again, Jesus uses a story here that tells a lot about what is happening then, during that time, but also reveals a lot about how God operates, for us to learn from now. First, we can identify the characters in the story. It seems most likely that the owner of the vineyard is God the Father, and the vinedresser is Jesus. The fig tree, at least in the lesson for the people in that moment, is representative of the nation of Israel.
Notice how the fig tree was planted in a vineyard, this really wouldn’t be typical, and the tree certainly would stand out. Israel had been a nation set apart by God, they were a chosen nation which enjoyed throughout their history special privileges that came with being God’s chosen people. The fact that the tree was planted in a vineyard, which would have been rich soil, shows that the tree had been given every opportunity to grow and become fruitful.
Seeking Fruit and Finding None
Yet here we have the landowner coming to the tree, seeking fruit and finding none. What’s more interesting, is that the landowner identifies that the tree had been there for three years. The vinedresser implores the landowner to allow for an additional year, and then if there is still no fruit, it can be cut down. As we piece together the timeline of the New Testament, we see that Jesus’ ministry, from when he began teaching the Jews to his ascension after the resurrection, was about three and a half years.
Shortly after the ascension, the persecution of the Christ’s followers by the Jews led to the gospel being sent to the gentile nations. God will one day turn his attention back to His people, the Jews, but for now, the focus is on the church, which comes primarily from the gentile nations. So, as we have seen in some of the other parables so far, there is a bit of a prophetic element to this one.
The Meaning of the Parable For Us
So, what about us today? What can we pull from this teaching of Jesus 2,000 years later? In some ways, the fig tree can be representative of all people. What’s important to notice is the delay. At first, the landowner immediately wants the barren fig tree cut down, removed, so it isn’t using valuable space in the vineyard for no purpose. Then comes the idea of giving the tree another year to be fruitful.
The Promise of Jesus’ Return
There is a very important verse in 2 Peter chapter three. Peter is talking about the promise of Jesus’ return, and how the unbelieving world will scoff at the idea, saying things like where is he? Everything continues as it always has. Peter then reminds his readers that
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
II Peter 3:9
God Is Loving and Merciful
And there is that repentance idea again, which we’ll talk about in jut a moment. But before we do, let’s focus on this idea that God wants to give people a chance. The Bible says the wages or deserved penalty of sin is death, but if every person who sinned died the moment they disobeyed God, no one would ever have a chance to be saved.
It is true that God is righteous and just, and because of that He cannot let sin go unpunished, but He is also loving and merciful, and would rather that we turn to him, believe in His Son, and be saved from the penalty of our sin. Because of this, He gives us time to know Him, to turn from our sins and ask for forgiveness, to put our trust in the Savior that He provided for us and escape the judgment we deserve. We are in a season of grace, when we have the opportunity to believe in Jesus and be saved, but we do not know how long this season will last.
Give the Tree Another Year
In the parable, the vinedresser says to give the tree another year. We don’t know how long we have, but the Bible teaches that we will have to face God at some point, and at that time we will be judged. However, by believing in Jesus, the Bible tells us that we become the righteousness of God. Therefore, in that day, we will not be found fruitless, as it were, having the first fruits of our salvation, and will be granted access into eternal life in heaven. We could even be found to have more fruit in our lives, which is the works that we have done for God after being saved.
At the same time, we read in the Bible that anyone who has not put their trust, or faith, in Jesus for salvation, will be like that fruitless tree, and will be cut off, having to face the penalty for their own sin, which is to be eternally separated from God in a place called the lake of fire.
The Parable of the Fig Tree and Repentance
Now, as mentioned before this parable is about repentance. We can see the judgment is illustrated for us, and we do want to avoid that punishment, so what must we do? Jesus paired this teaching with a statement about repentance. This is one of those we find in the Bible, and in teachings about the Bible, but maybe isn’t always explained or understood.
Some people equate the idea of repentance as being sorry for past actions, or something we may have said. That’s part of it, but repentance carries a deeper meaning to it, which is literally to think differently, or to turn. It involves change. To repent spiritually means to acknowledge our ways are wrong, and God’s ways are right. If salvation is through faith in Jesus, it is the act of repentance that will lead us to the place where we will be ready and able to trust in Christ for that salvation. Repentance and faith go hand-in-hand.
The Disappointed Owner
In the parable for us today, the tree can represent mankind. Year after yar, time after time, the tree had disappointed its owner by producing no fruit. While the tree is inanimate, we are not. The Bible says that our sin not just disappoints God, but it grieves Him. He created us for so much more than our destruction.
He created us because it was His pleasure to do so, He created us that we could do His work, and bring Him glory, and in doing so, that he could bestow on us the fullest blessings that come with being children of God. His love, His grace, His comfort and kindness, and the list goes on. To see any person squander that gift by refusing to acknowledge Him, and failing to trust Him pains God as His desire is to see all people saved.
Fulfilling His Promise
That’s why he gave that beautiful promise in 2 Peter 3 about not being slow in fulfilling His promise, but patient. He doesn’t want us to perish, if that were the case, He never would have sent His Son Jesus to die for our sin, He would have been content, and just, to allow us to suffer eternally for our own unrighteousness. But He didn’t, in love He sent Jesus for us. In love, He offers us salvation and eternal life. And in love, He provides us with opportunity to recognize His gift, and accept it by faith. However, the offer of salvation is a limited time offer. That’s why the Bible says,
Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” And also, “Behold now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation.
Hebrews 3:15
You may have been a fruitless tree, destined for destruction for your entire life, but that can change today. It starts with accepting Jesus for who he is, and what he has done for us, and believing in him alone to be saved from our sin forever. Will you trust in him today?
What is important in life as far as you are concerned
Stephen March
Stephen March is the President of FBH International and HopeStreamRadio. He graduated from the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College in 2001, and has previously worked in television production and post-production.
Stephen lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with his wife Corinne and their four children.
Read and hear more from Stephen March on his contributor’s page. Stephen currently has 5 Programs on HopeStreamRadio:
- Please Forgive Me
- Isolation Chronicles
- Faith By Hearing – The Twelve
- Bibles and Baseball
- Bible Tech Talk
More Podcasts Below:
More Blogs:
Palm Sunday, The Coming King, and the Last Week of Christ
Images courtesy of:
The Fig Tree – dimitrisvetsikas
The Parable – James Tissot
Shopping – Skitterphoto
Fig tree – bondardmitrij18
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