Story Of The Barren Fig Tree
**********************************************************************
Luke 13:6-9
6. 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.
7. 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?
8. And he answering said unto him,
Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9. And if it bear fruit, well: and if
not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
**********************************************************************
In the past we have heard comments on communication. It seems we all wished, that we had a portion
of Jesus Christ's skill in communicating, and we know He was the greatest of all communicators, expressing
things through parables.
Matthew chapter 13, tells us why and for what reason? "And the disciples [like us] came, and said unto
Him, why speak you unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, [His disciples] because it is given
unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but to them [not yet called] it is not given" (Matt
13:10-11). Verse 34, we read Matthew confirming this: "All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in
parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, Isaiah saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from
the foundation of the world."Sounds like, some parable meanings are going to only be revealed at this end time.
Verse 35 indicates many parables were "kept secret," not because God was either unwilling or unprepared to
reveal there deeper meaning, but because man were not spiritually ready to receive it.
A while back, in the Churches weekly mail out, under "Sharing God's Word," was the story of the
barren fig tree, found in Luke 13. This parable seems to have a deeper meaning than what was said in "Sharing
God's Word" Notice Luke 13:6-9, it will refresh our thoughts on this parable of the fig tree. "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 cumber it the ground?" Why burden the ground ? Verse 8, "And he
answering said unto Him, Lord, let it alone this year, also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it [fertilize it]: and
if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that you shalt cut it down." This fig tree was planted for a purpose!
And used as a parable for a purpose. There are certain facts about this fig tree parable that seems to require more
of our attention.
To do this, lets think of this fig tree as a person that has been called into God's truth. First we read, it
was a planted tree (like us), called, and planted into God's church. Keep in mind this tree was not a fig tree of
chance. Nor is it where it is because some passing breeze or bird happen to drop a seed upon this particular spot.
It is there because someone possessed of intelligence had planted it there! This is also the case with us. God
has a plan for every one of us. He gives to every one of us who He has called, a job offer! A work of service.
"But now has God set the members every one of them in the body [His church], as it has pleased Him" (1 Cor
12:18).
We are given special opportunities to be a servant for God our Father, like Christ. He delighted to do His
father's will. He identified Himself with man, He went about doing good. He did every thing through the power
of the Holy Spirit and His goal was to be, an unselfish sacrifice for mankind. God the Father planned the life
of His Son, just as He plans your life and mine, especially after being called and chosen.
The purpose of this fig tree planting, was to bear fruit. It is to give an account of itself in terms of
producing figs. It should have been living in a state of readiness. We find be-ready written 16 times in our
instruction book, the Bible. The phrase Be-ready, first occurs in Exo 19:11, When the children of Israel were
to "be-ready" for the Lord to descend onto Mount Sinai.
In the New Testament we read in 1 Peter 3:15, "to be-ready always to give an answer to those asking for
- a reason of our hope. We are also told to be-ready for every good work, in Titus 3:1, 2 Cor 9: 3, 5, be-ready
to give generously. 2 Tim 4:2, be-ready to preach the Word in and out of season.
The Boy Scout motto is be- prepared. Our motto is to be-ready!! But are we? We can never take a
break from our calling nor relax our spiritual vigilance. Our stand is to be-ready to share - to give - to preach
- to work and to serve. Most of all be-ready for Christ's return.
Matthew 13 fig tree was not in its planted place of
privilege and opportunity, just for itself. It was planted
there to serve others by bearing fruit. That also is the
purpose of our being called into God's church. God never
planned that any man should live selfishly, for just
himself. He never purposed that any life He calls should be useless or fruitless. We are not here to lean, but to
lift, not hinder, but to help. In fact, God has put every one of us here for a helpful purpose, that means
helpfulness that is within our ability and talent. We all can be of genuine service if we will!
We need to take on Christ's thoughts that we
find in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: The night comes, when no man
can work."
The fact is this fig tree was planted in a place of special privilege and where fruit was to be rightfully
expected, but it failed utterly to fulfill the purpose for which it was planted. This is why, when Christ came in
search of fruit, He found none. He came again only to be disappointed, so He ordered it to be cut down!
By example that fig tree refused to fulfill it's purpose for which it had been planted, cultivated, and
protected. A like failure, is possible for you and me! God's elect! The fact that God plans our lives does not
mean that He will compel or force us to carry out His plan. He has planned great plans for every one of us, but
we at times have failed Him, frustrated Him, and disappoint Him. That is what some of us are probably doing
way to often.
He comes, seeking some worthy purposeful fruit in our lives, and He finds little. Why ? Because we
refuse to allow any large degree of the fruit of His Holy Spirit to deeply take root in our lives. I have used the
term "Deeply"several times, because of what we see written in Col 2, "As you have therefore received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Col 2: 6-7). These verses refer to us as plants, rooted deeply in
God's way of life, works, and character.
Four points on spiritual growth comes directly out of these two verses. 1). We are to grow deep roots
in God's ways. 2). We are to grow up using Christ as our example. 3).We are to grow strong in the faith. 4).
We are to grow in having a respectful thanksgiving. This foundation of root growth has tremendous implications
for God's church. We have not been placed in our setting by chance. Our Creator wishes for us to use our given
talents and abilities - to bear fruit.
John Maxwell, who writes leadership books wrote, "If you want to reach your potential, you need to
add a strong work ethic to your talent." Meaning, "Prove All Things!"
King Solomon, who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in the 10th century, wrote, "Whatsoever your hand
finds to do, do it with your might; For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave,
where you go" (Eccl 9:10). The advice given in this verse is excellent, but the reason is bad. The advice must
be restricted to activities that are legitimate, helpful and edifying in themselves.
All of us should believe that we have been called and planted in a place of peculiar privileges. God is
offering us special opportunities if we follow His advice found in Col 3: 17, "And whatsoever you do in word
or deed [speaking of action], do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."
The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow shared much insight when he wrote, "The height by great men
reached and kept - were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling
[laboring- studying] upward in the night."
We need to ask our selves, have we been
procrastinating in helping and serving, instead of jumping into the task at hand? The possibility of failure in
doing this has to be realized. So what are the results of such failure? The first obvious result is uselessness.
This fruitless fig tree was a thing of no use. And that is the tragic truth about so many God has called today.
They are guilty of no vicious or outrageous wrong-doing. They are not violating God's laws in any large degree
but they are just spiritually useless. They stand and sit with the call of great needs in the church, ringing in their
ears but they never seem to hear. And that is a tragic loss, both to the individual and to the church God has
called them into.
On the other side of that statement are those who tell us after contacting us "we expect to be a
participant." In other words, we expect to serve! I can not express the deep gratitude felt when that transpires.
Christ was aware, not all called would serve. Notice Luke 10, where instructions were given to the seventy
disciples that were similar to those previously given to the twelve disciples. "Therefore said He unto them, the
harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send
forth laborers into His harvest" (Luke 10:2).
Some are convinced that perhaps the most shocking waste that afflicts the church today is the complacent
moral and spiritual uselessness of so many decent talented and capable people. This time wasting is a sin.
According to God, it's the crime of crimes according to what we read in the parable of the 10 virgins. Christ
says as much in His parable of the fig tree judgment.
Every disaster that is visited is the result not of some wrong thing done, but of some right thing left
undone. God exposes this when using parables. One we mentioned - the five foolish bridesmaids had the bridal
door shut before them, because they had become lazy, adding up to having no oil of truth in them. They loafed
during their training time. Letting character God offered them slip away.
The parable of "The man of one talent" was accused of being worthless, not because he had squandered
God's money, but because he had refused to invest it. This fig tree was ordered cut down, not because it was
bearing fruit that was poisonous, but because it was bearing no fruit at all. We need to ask our self? What
contribution in serving God in my being called, am I making?
There probable was a time, after being called, you dreamed and prayed to be physically helpful and useful
for the service of God. You may have consciously said to yourself, God I will do any thing you ask of me. I will
accept any job you give me "Lord," just to prove to you I want to be in Your kingdom. I will sweep or mop the
church floors, I will set up chairs and serve tables. I will work in the parking lot, I will pass out song books, I
will greet people when interring church. I will speak often to others that's been called, I will pray for and visit
the sick and elderly. I will not miss a weekly Sabbath or Holy Day Sabbath. I will give tithes and offering for the
preaching of God's truth. I will do what ever you ask Lord just to be in Your kingdom.
To bear no fruit, is not only to be useless, but by example, ineffective. The final result of fruitlessness is
that it invites disaster. "Cut it down" are the words we read Christ say in Luke 13: verse 9. But since fruitlessness
does not result in immediate destruction, some are led to believe that no such results will ever follow. Proof of
that statement is found in Eccl 8:11, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore
the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." The fact that the penalty is not visited at once is due
to the mercy of God. "Let it alone this year also," pleads the vine dresser.
The fact that we have been spared in spite of our uselessness does not mean that this inevitable law has
forgotten to operate, it only means that God is exercising His patience to bring us to our possibilities. Let us not
be blinded by His out- pouring of mercies, as we too often are.
Ask, how then, shall we escape this weakness of uselessness? The way of escape is indicated by the plain
inspired words of the Lord, "Unless you repent, you will all like- wise perish." The repentance that Christ is
requiring, means a turning from barrenness to fruitfulness. The first step toward usefulness is to be right with
God. It is essential to work on producing the fruits of God's Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, self - control. God's word continues to tells us, "against such there is no law."
Everyone who looks back and evaluates his or her performance conscientiously, must admit that there
have been great periods of time when we were not very productive like the fig trees in the vineyard of God. We
have not brought forth the fruit that would be pleasing to God or which we could be properly proud. While some
opportunities may have flown into the past and are impossible to recall, but, we can rejoice in the fact that we
do have the present and some portion of the future left.
This fig tree analogy should be an awakening alarm to all of us. All of us that have been called "the
elect" that we read of in Matt 24. Lets take a moment of time and consider what being called "the elect" means.
God has chosen to call us in this end time into a world that is devoid of truth, a world which now faces the stark
consequences of its own rebellious ways. We, "God's elect" that have been blessed and been given God's Holy
Spirit and His active mind set, is our reassurance, promise and guarantee of eternal life.
Matthew 24, which speaks of the end time tribulation says, "For then there will be great tribulation, such
as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were
shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened" (Matt. 24:21). "The
elect" spoken of here literally means "God's few chosen ones." We are special to God, because we are the sons
of God, begotten by His Holy Spirit, but not yet born of that spirit. For now, God is not calling everyone to
understand His plan for mankind. Rather, we see that it is the few and we few are certainly not the ones this
world would choose
The first two chapters of 1Corinthians shows
why we are among the elect of God. Jesus Christ is also spoken of as God's "elect?" "His chosen one." Notice
Isaiah 42, "Behold! My servant whom I uphold, My elect one in whom My soul delights! I have put My spirit
upon Him..." (Isaiah 42:1). Being one of the elect chosen from God's barley harvest [kind after kind], places
us in the position to be the bride among the firstborn into God's family, and in the everlasting kingdom of God.
This is outlined in the book of Roman's chapter 8: "And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son [that was taken from the barley harvest], that He
might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: And
whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom 8:28-30).
Understanding, that just as God bound Himself to Abraham and his descendants, so has He committed
His unbreakable promise to us- His chosen ones, "His elect bride to be." Paul addresses the assurance we have,
in Titus's letter, chapter one. "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the
faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal
life which God who can not lie, promised before time began" (Titus 1:1-2).
God's promise to us is conditional. God will not break His promise, as long as we do our part. Remember
- we are God's elect! We are in the company of those called, chosen and faithful to God, who are recorded in
the 11th chapter of Hebrews. "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection" (Heb 11:35). These men and women were
faithful in what God asked of them. They persevered with unyielding faith, because they looked to the future to
eternal life and not just to the temporary goals of this lifetime and so it must be with each of us!
Our hearts, our priorities, our very lives must be centered on pleasing God, our Creator. We might ask
our self? Is our life focused on that goal? Is there something that is causing us to stumble? If there is, we need
to face the problem squarely, by taking it to God when we pray. Being of the elect of God we have access to
Him, we can go to God through Jesus Christ, our High Priest who can help on our behalf. "Seeing then that we
have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:14-16). See Hebrews 8, "Now of the things which we have
spoken this is the sum: we have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in
the heavens" (Heb 8:1).
As the elect of God- remember to stay grounded and rooted in the love of God. John reminds us
concerning how the elect should conduct themselves: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved
us and sent His son to be the atonement for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one
another" (1 John 4:10-11).
We must remember the deeper found meaning in the parable on the fig tree! Pray earnestly to bare God's
spiritual fruit! Don't forget to pray for one another. Pray for God's spiritual help as we seek His truth. Pray for
the return of Jesus Christ and for God's kingdom to come!
James Russell