Repentance and Figs

“Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 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?' 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it 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.'" (Luke 13:6-9 NIV)

Our next door neighbors had a fig tree. My parents loved figs. But figs were never my favorite fruit. My wife loves fig preserves. I still don’t like figs or fig preserves. Yet, for some unknown reason, I love Fig Newton bars. I could eat them all day long. Go figure.

In today’s text passage, a non-fruit yielding fig tree is being threatened by the orchard’s owner. He has waited three years for the tree to begin producing figs. Now, his patience has run out and it’s decision time. Cut down the tree.

At first glimpse, we realize that growing figs is a harsh business. Yet, the parable is an illustration. How does this fig parable illustrate the Lord’s teaching on repentance (vss. 1-5)? What do figs and repentance have in common? Or at least, what does this non-fruit bearing tree have to do with it?

The wise orchard-keeper pleaded for more time to work with the tree. Breaking up the soil around its roots and fertilizing the tree may empower its fruit-bearing capability. This gardener must represent the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. So, if one’s sins are no greater than another’s (vss. 3 & 5), then we all need more digging and fertilizer around our roots and more time. So ponder the fig tree and remember -- repentance that doesn’t bear fruit is useless.

Dear Father, thank you for your grace and patience. Empower us to repent and bear fruit. This I pray in the name of Jesus.

Be strong and courageous today as you ponder this parable,