The Tribune

By Nicholas Morley

Luke 13:6-9 (KJV): “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”

IN a nutshell, the parable that Christ told in Luke 13:6-9 served as a warning to the Jewish nation. The lord of the vineyard represents God the father, the dresser of the vineyard represents God the son, and the fig tree represents the Jewish nation.

Christ, in his infinite wisdom, was telling them how much danger they were in, because they for so long were as this fig tree: barren and fruitless. Isreal was God’s chosen people. They were to shine forth the glorious light of God’s love throughout the world. They were to be a blessing and example of God’s love to all the world. Yet they did the opposite. They put to death all of God’s messengers and prophets, including Christ himself. Thus self-exalting, the fruits of the spirit were long forgotten in the minds of the people. They longed to be as other nations around them, putting aside the very purpose of their existence. Thus 490 years (70 weeks) served as a probation period for the children of Israel (Daniel 9-12). Unfortunately, probation closed on the children of Israel as God’s chosen people at the stoning of the first Christian martyr, Stephen.

This is the contextual meaning of the parable, but could it be that there might be a recurring theme found in the lives of us modern believers? What was the lord of the vineyard’s attitude towards the fig tree? Why was the dresser of the vineyard so eager to save the tree even after he received the order to cut it down? And could a tree that was fruitless for three years be restored back to production?

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 (KJV) 1: ‘’Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.’’

The ways in which God deals with his children never changes, because there is but one problem, which is sin, and but one solution, which is Christ Jesus. God deals with us all the same.

The methods that God has are all for the plan of salvation. It is then our choice if we want to continue living in the saving grace of Jesus or reject him entirely. We often think that those outside of the Church are the only ones that are going to be left behind when Christ comes. On the contrary and sadly, there will be many that are in the Church, many who helped in various ministries around the Church, many who had heard the voice of the Saviour’s call that will reject Jesus’ invitation for life everlasting.

Matthew 7:21 says: ‘’Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.’’

Could it be that committing our services to the Church is not the same as committing our lives to God? Like the fig tree, many of us have the form of godliness, yet deny His power (2 Timothy 3:5). Like the fig tree, we all have our roots in the grounds of the Church, our branches healthy looking and strong, perhaps we even have a pew with our name on it, yet our tree is fruitless.

Although the characteristics of the fig tree can be found in each of us, we can praise God for the dresser of the vineyard, Jesus Christ, who through his mercy still sees something worth saving.

It would have definitely been easier for the dresser of the vineyard to cut down the fig tree. It would have been easier if God had given up on this sinful race, but I thank God that he has not dealt with us according to our sins (Psalms 103:9,10).

The 33 years that Christ walked this earth should have been enough to spark in us the choice to want to live for God. The examples he left should have been enough to desire his character, but Jesus went further. Like the dresser of the vineyard, Christ got down and dirty. He went to die on a cruel cross for our sins. For those who thought that it was over, he rose again three days after to begin his priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, to intercede on our behalf (Hebrews 9:11,12).

What marvellous love he showed to restore us again back to perfection. Perhaps that is what the lord of the vineyard wanted. For three long years was the lord of the vineyard disappointed by the fig tree, but we can see that he had patience with it. His patience then shows us that he and the dresser were on the same page. The dresser knew what his lord wanted, he knew that his lord valued all of his trees alike. Jesus knew that his father was not in the business of losing even one soul (2 Peter 3:9). Hence, the sacrifice was made.

With such an amazing sacrifice made, why can’t we be restored? The dresser of the vineyard offered to put his expertise to the test. He offered to take care of the root of the problem. He offered to dig around the tree, remove what might be blocking it’ ability to bare fruit and put new fertilizer in the ground. If we allow Jesus to cure the root problem of sin, he promises to give us a new heart that we might be fruitful.

Ezekiel 36:26 says: ‘’A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.’’

How fruitful would we be if we would receive from God a new heart, allowing Him to work His expertise and receive His character. We must cry as the Psalmist cried: “Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me!” (Psalms 51:10)

Then would God respond to us in righteousness and in truth, with mercy and grace.

Psalms 34:18 says: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Jesus is willing and ready to save and restore. The parable ends without us knowing the fate of the fig tree, but nonetheless, let us walk in faith and in the newness of life unto the coming of the Lord.

• For comments and questions e-mail nicholasrmorley@gmail.com.