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by Sandy Shaw
In Luke Chapter 13 and verse 6, Jesus goes on to tell a parable - "A man had a fig tree and planted it in his vineyard. Now, that is about the last place you would choose to plant a fig tree. There it would have the best soil - a favoured position - a fine setting - it would be given every opportunity to produce fruit. Within three years a fig tree should produce some fruit.
When the owner looked at it, He found no fruit, and the order was given - "Cut it down. Why should it use up the good that is in the soil? We have no room for fruitless trees."
The business world can be so cruel and cold and callous - and merciless. If there is no profit - no returns - cut it down - cut him out - close the branch - shut the factory.
But the gardener looking after the vineyard pleaded - "Lord, give it one more year. I'll care for it, feed it, fertilise it, and if it bears fruit next year - fine - if not, then, cut it down!”
What does this mean? How do we interpret this poignant parable? Again, these are serious words coming from the lips of Jesus Christ.
The owner is God the Father - the vinedresser is Jesus - the fig-tree is Israel - or perhaps ourselves. And, the Father is looking for fruit - spiritual fruit. Is there fruit? Foliage is not enough. The Father is not satisfied with leaves.
He looks for fruit - and Jesus is saying - Father, give him another chance - give him another year - I will care for him - feed him - pour out My Spirit and refresh and renew - I will do what I can .
We are to do what we can do - and Jesus gives us another chance - a further opportunity - but, we never know when it will be the final chance - and we never know when the year is up.
Where do you stand in the light of this parable of Jesus? Where are you in the light of these opening verse of Luke Chapter 13? I am going to stop here today because there comes that moment when we have to pause, consider and give serious thought to what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is saying.
Foliage is never enough. Leaves are insufficient. God is looking for fruit. This makes me stop too because I do not want to be cut down – not until my work is finished – not until I have completed what God has called me to do. He is interested in fruit. Jesus Christ is concerned about fruit.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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