Luke 13:6-9 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.’”
This parable says that a person who has a fig tree which doesn’t bear fruit after three years. He told the man who took care of the vineyard to cut down the fig tree. The man said that give him another year, he would dig around the soil and fertilizer it. What does this parable mean? Let us first look at the verses before this parable.
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”(Luke 13:1-5)
Here Lord Jesus said that people suffered or die in accidents were not worse sinners. If people do not repent, they will perish.
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:8-11)
This is the message of repentance that John the Baptist gave to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Tell them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He baptized people with water, but Lord Jesus who came after him would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
We can see from the above two passages that the barren fig tree represents those who don’t repent, those who don’t produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Lord Jesus wants people to repent and return to him. When a person confesses his sins and repents, his sins will be forgiven by God, he will receive abundant life, and he will be blessed by God.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Lord Jesus promised that he will come again the second time. It has not been fulfilled, he is not slow, he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but all return to him.
I learned last Sunday that a non-Christian friend who attends our church was baptized. He is the younger brother of a sister in our church. Recently he confessed his sins and repented, believed in the Lord and was baptized. thank God.
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)
When a sinner repents, there will be rejoicing in heaven. Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus will rejoice for him, and the angels will also rejoice for him.
May God bless you and your family. 😊
