Parables Fig Tree
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Parables
Parables
We are going to visit many parables this year through a variety of voices.
The one I felt lead by God to share is the parable of the Fig Tree.
Luke 13:6–9 (NASB95)
And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ ”
I dont know about you but I dont like parables that dont tell the story of what happened.
If a parable that Jesus is telling us does not say what happened, then He is trying to tell us something about the process or journey.
What do you think this parable is about?
Its always a good idea to look into the context.
Who is Jesus telling this parable to and why?
Luke 13:1–5 (NASB95)
Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Two events
One where Pilate killed Galileans for disturbing peace.
One where some sort of accident happened that killed 18 men.
People were trying to get Jesus to tell them who is right and who is wrong. Who deserves punishment and who does not.
Jesus was trying to get everyone to see something they were not even looking at.
So he told a parable of a fig tree that did not have any fruit on it.
Judging others does not bear fruit.
Trying to blame those who are wrong does not bear fruit.
Trying to find out who is right or who is wrong does not bear fruit.
Trying to get someone else to fix injustice does not bear fruit.
You fix what ever is in front of you by bearing fruit yourself.
Mark 11:13–14 (NASB95)
Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.
Now this one always bugged me. It was not time for figs to be on the tree and Jesus cursed it anyways.
My first thought was what did that tree do wrong?
You could conclude that Jesus was throwing a little fit and using His power to squash and innocent tree.
or
Maybe Jesus was still making a point about something.
Mark 11:20–26 (NASB95)
As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”
Jesus is pointing to fruit again.
Faith is a fruit.
Forgiveness is a fruit.
Not only are we to bear fruit but we should bear fruit when no one else is yet.
We bear fruit in all seasons.
Example:
The Best Of Enemies- movie
About an African American civil rights activist Ann Atwater facing off against C.P. Ellis KKK leader.
An African American school has a fire and they are trying to combine the schools with an all white school.
They set up a charrette to vote on what they will do. Both of the Ann and CP were asked to be the leaders of their point of view.
Eventually Ann did something really kind to CP’s family. Then CP ended up voting for Ann side of things.
Fig Tree Parable
Luke 13:6–9 (NASB95)
And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ ”
You can see it as God is the man who planted a fig tree, and Jesus is the vineyard-keeper.
The point of this parable is about bearing fruit.
What will it take to bear fruit?
Jesus came and poured out His life so that we would be one with Him and Father again.
He is the vine and we are the branches and we will bear much fruit.
Fruit in any season, not just reaping seasons.
We are to bear fruit in every season.
Be ready in season and out of season. (2 Tim 4:2)
Fig Tree Parable
Change your mind about what is important.
Bearing fruit in any season is what matters.
Trying to bring your version of justice will end in death for all.
Trying to find out who is right and who is wrong will end in death.
I believe Jesus did not end the parable on purpose so we can end that story with our lives by bearing much fruit.
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored. As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.
When you see Jesus refer to a fig tree again later He is hinting to the fact that once again they are not looking at what matters.
Activation:
What situation am I looking at that I am trying to figure out who is right or wrong?
Jesus, I repent. Would you change your mind about what is important?
Jesus, would you show me how to bear fruit in that situation?
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
Matthew 24:32 (NASB95)
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come, reign over us!’ “But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.