“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 13:8,9).
In the Parable
of the Fig Tree we are told the
vineyard is a finite space, and the owner cannot afford a freeloading fig tree
using up the soil’s nutrients and taking up room where another plant might
bring a profit. When he orders the fig tree be cut down, the caretaker talks
him out of it, asking for another year to carefully tend the tree, hoping it
will produce fruit.
Jesus is teaching
his disciples two things: First, he is teaching them about the love and mercy
of God, who patiently waits for his children to submit their lives to him and
be productive for the kingdom. Second, he teaches them that as much as God is
merciful, there is appointed for each of us a time to die – there are only so
many days left.
So how does the
story end? Does the fig tree produce fruit or will it be cut down? We don’t
know. We’re still in that part of the story where the caretaker is patiently
working, hoping the tree will be fruitful.
How fitting, for
this is a story about you and me, and we don’t yet know how that story will
turn out either. We get to write that ending.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Thank God for being your
gardener, and taking the time and effort to help you produce fruit. How is he
cultivating you this week?
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