“Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 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?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 13.6-9
At the 4F Ranch, we have many wonderful oak trees right by the house. Unfortunately, some of them have the Hill Country tree disease called “oak wilt.” Three or four of these beautiful trees will have to be cut down because they are sick. The others have been treated with injections around the roots so they might regain their health and be spared from the same fate. It’s a sad day when a beautiful tree dies.
Reading about the parable Jesus told of the man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard made me think about my own trees. Their fruitfulness and health are of absolute concern to me. In the parable, the owner of the vineyard saw the lack of fruit and told the caretaker to cut it down because it had produced no fruit in three years. But the caretaker replied, “Leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.” The owner replied, “If it bears fruit next year, fine. If not, then cut it down.”
It’s a similar situation—sick trees being treated in hopes of restoring their health and productivity.
But this parable is not really about trees. It’s about people, families, tribes, and nations. It’s a parable about those who do not honor or seek the Lord. I can’t help but think the reference to three years points to the time Jesus spent on earth. Three years—and still some would not follow. The owner of the vineyard, representing God, is ready to cut down those who do not believe and have rejected His plan and purpose. But the caretaker—perhaps representing Jesus or ministers of the gospel—is pleading for one more year to turn the people around.
So here we sit, 2,000 years later, called to bear fruit and follow the Lord. Yet not everyone has chosen to follow Christ. Many people have come and gone without knowledge of God or any will to turn to Him. Lives have been lived, souls have been separated, and hearts have been won and lost for the Kingdom. Millions have turned to Jesus as Messiah, while millions more have rejected the gift of forgiveness, love, and eternal life.
Yet today is a new day. We are asked by the Lord to bear fruit for Him, to win others to His cause, and to seek holiness of heart and life. We are those called by God to tend the vineyard—to keep and encourage the souls of men and women. Let’s join God in tending the “fig trees” of life so that all might know the power, the love, and the grace offered freely by Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, and the Savior of our souls.
“O Lord God, thank you for involving us in your work. We are co-builders with you, co-gardeners, and co-planters. Call us to your cause. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Set us on the straight path so we might walk in holiness and find strength and help in our time of need. Come, Lord, and fill us with your love. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.