Gettin' Figgy

Luke 13:6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted 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.’ "

What is the purpose of the fig tree?

TO PRODUCE FIGS

Now, fig trees bloom and bear fruit before their leaves emerge and they generally produce six to seven crops of fruit per year, unlike most fruiting trees. So the Master wasn't missing out on three harvests of the sweet delicacy, he was missing out on twenty!

This little fig tree reaped all the benefits of life in the Master's vineyard - plenty of fresh air, rich soil, water, fertilizer and tending by an expert gardener. It soaked up everything it was given... and still did not bear figs. This little tree, the very symbol of prosperity, abundance and regeneration, used up everything it was given and produced nothing.

What is our purpose as Christians?

TO PRODUCE CHRISTIANS

We reap all the benefits of life with Christ - salvation through Christ, the Word of God, Christian fellowship, and access to the throne of grace. We soak up everything we are given and yet all too often, we produce nothing.

My friends, WE are the symbols of renewal and regeneration to this lost and dying world we live in. We are the very image of God and reflection of Christ. Our lives are meant to show the abundance of life in Jesus - our branches are meant to bear fruit.

The Master has a right to be angry with the fig tree. Look how much it has been given! Look at everything it has been offered. The Master only asks the tree for one thing - "Fulfil your purpose."

Are you fulfilling your purpose?

Now, lucky for the fig tree (and for us), the gardener says, "let me give this tree a little bit more. Let me dig up the dirt and mix in the stinky stuff that will help it grow. Give her one more year, one more chance before you cut her down." Hallelujah for God's grace and second chances!

As a Christian, your place in heaven is secure, but do you really want to stand before God without a harvest? Do you really want to explain to Him what you did, or didn't do with the gifts you were given?

Lord, I foolishly and arrogantly take Your gifts for granted. I take advantage of all the benefits of Christian life but I know I'm not producing the fruit you mean for me to produce. Forgive my selfishness and cultivate my heart