”6 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 13:6-9New International Version (NIV)
Luke 13:6-9 Devotional
Bear Fruit
Luke 13:6-9 projects that bearing fruit is important to God just as it is an important issue in God’s Word and kingdom. Therefore, (spiritual) fruit is the expectation, and should therefore be our primary concern.
Consequently, in this parable, the three entities all have clear symbolic significance. Therefore, the vineyard owner represents God. He is the One Who rightly expects us to bear fruit on His tree and who justly decides to destroy it when He finds none.
The gardener is the one who cares for the trees. He, therefore, waters and fertilizes them so that they can attain their peak of fruitfulness. It goes without saying that the gardener represents Jesus. It is He who feeds His people and gives them living water.
Finally, the tree represents the nation of Israel and individual believers. Remember, John the Baptist warned the Israelites about Jesus’ coming. He told them to bring forth fruits fit for repentance because the ax was already laid at the root of the tree (Luke 3:8-9). But they were offended that they needed to repent. Thus, they rejected Jesus. After all, they had the revelation of God, the prophets, the Scriptures, the covenants, and the adoption (Romans 9:4-5).
We need to bear fruit
Consequently, the reality is that we are living on borrowed time (and other divine resources), it is, therefore, prudent that you and I produce the fruit of repentance. Otherwise, we shall surely perish by not bearing the fruit of repentance.
Therefore, God in His great mercy has granted us a window for repentance and consequent fruitfulness through the work of Jesus Christ. However, His patience has a limit, for judgment will surely come (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, repentance and fruitfulness must be your priority as stated earlier (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Repentance is the seed capital of fruitfulness which is God’s will for you (Matthew 3:8 and John 15:5-8). He expects you to produce fruit during this window of repentance, as His Word comes to us to fertilize us. Therefore, do not squander this opportunity or second chance or a fresh start or grace (Ephesians 5:16). Do not waste time, the Gospel, and other divine resources that have been availed to you.
Prayer/Blessing
May you bear fruit in accordance with God’s grace. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Leviticus 11-13 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
