Where's The Fruit?

Introduction

Luke 13:6–9 NKJV

He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

Have you had a situation where you had expected someone to do something and when you seen that person again you saw that they hadn’t?

This could be a child, a husband, a wife, or a coworker.

Monica tells Kimora to do a choir or read a book or something of that nature all the time. Then hours later when Monica returns, Kimora has failed to produce the fruit that Monica was looking for.

So therefore now Monica issues a punishment for disobedience. Usually it is no phone, or no tablet or something around those lines.

Then sometimes I will step in and intercede on Kimora’s behalf and make a case for her so she won’t have to endures Monica’s wrath.

This gives Kimora an opportunity to get in line with Monica’s will.

Well this is the same as the story of barren fig tree.

Background

Jesus was going about from city to city teaching the mysteries of the kingdom of God. And every step of the way Jesus was being rejected by the lawyers, pharisees, scribes, and Sadducee. They would ask Jesus questions to try and trap him into transgressing the law (Moses and Roman). So in the mist of His teaching someone told him a story of the Galileans whose blood got mixed with their sacrifice. Then Jesus poses a question. Where these Galileans whose blood got mix with the sacrifices worst off, than any other Galilean? Yes, answered No unless you likewise repent you will also perish.

He then tells another story about 18 people that a tower fell on them in Jerusalem and killed them. He asked do you think they were worst sinners than all the rest that dwelt in Jerusalem? Again He says no! unless you repent you will likewise perish.

This is the introduction to chapter 13. Repent or perish!

So Jesus being the master of parables and illustration. He gives the parable of the barren fig tree.

A parable is a story with a two fold meaning. It helps connect the person to a deeper more spiritual meaning that reveals some truth about the kingdom of God. So lets look at the parable we are talking about today.

Meaning

God

Our parable begins with “A certain man.” Who could this man be as it relates to the kingdom of God? This man is The almighty God.

Then he says “had a fig tree planted in his vineyard” The fig tree represents us. The children of God and the vineyard represents the world.

“and he came seeking fruit on it and found none” The fruit of the tree means fruit worthy of repentance as we spoke about last week. God is saying that we as people are living a lawless life here on earth. Not being obedient to his word and not following his commandments and we he returned he wanted to see fruit worthy of repentance. He wanted to see a people who has turned from their evil ways and is ready to serve Him.

“Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard.” Who is this keeper of his vineyard?

Jesus right!

“Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this tree and have found none.”

Some scholars view the three years as three instances. Pre-Law (Before Moses), During the Law (After Moses), and the time of grace which is now (After Jesus).

So God came looking for his people to repent during these three eras and each time he found that his people have not produced fruit worthy of repentance.

What this also shows is God’s longsuffering for you. God is a patient God. He does not condemn you as soon as you make a mistake. He allows you opportunities to repent before he brings judgement. But don’t mistake his patience and mercy as a weakness because it says the the keeper of the vineyard

“Cut it down: why does it us up the ground?”

This is Gods judgement to His children.

Luke 3:9 says

Luke 3:9 NKJV

And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

This is best illustrated in Jeremiah 8:4-13

Jeremiah 8:4–13 NKJV

“Moreover you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return? Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return. I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle. “Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the Lord. “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the Lord is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood. The wise men are ashamed, They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; So what wisdom do they have? Therefore I will give their wives to others, And their fields to those who will inherit them; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is given to covetousness; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; In the time of their punishment They shall be cast down,” says the Lord. “I will surely consume them,” says the Lord. “No grapes shall be on the vine, Nor figs on the fig tree, And the leaf shall fade; And the things I have given them shall pass away from them.” ’ ”

Isaiah Chapter 5 is a good illustration as well but for sake of time we will not go there but fill free to search it on your own time.

These people have turned from God and they are living a lawless life and God has come to judge.

For us God has given us warning after warning. Opportunity after opportunity and yet the world rejects him. So there will come a time when God says “Cut if down: why does it use up the ground.” Your time will be up and Gods judgement will be upon you.

So why does he say “why does it use up the ground?

God makes it rain on the just and the unjust. No matter how righteous you are or unrighteous you will receive blessings, God will provide resources for your needs.

Think about the parable of the wheat and the tare. Both was in a garden. Both received all the same nourishment. Both was allowed to grow to it’s fullest potential. This made it easier to identify who which was which. Which was producing fruit and which one wasn’t

Let’s look inward now at ourselves. God has provided our nourishment: we use God’s air to breath, God’s water to drink, God’s animals and vegetables to eat. but yet we are not producing any fruit. God put us in his vineyard for a reason. To do something for the kingdom. To follow the will of God. To follow his commandments and if we are not going to participate then we are wasting God’s resources. He will chop us down and throw us into the flames. Then He could plant another tree in our place that will do as God wills.

But wait there is good news!

Jesus said to Him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it!”

Jesus is interceding on our behalf. He is our intercessor. Pleading on our behalf for the father to give us another chance. He has postponed your judgement in hopes that you repent

2 Peter 3:9 says:

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Jesus is patient toward us, not wanting any of us to perish but for all of us to repent.

No not one of us.

And the bonus is He says, “until I dig around it and fertilize it”

Jesus is not only interceding for us but He is also will to work with us and provide us the proper nourishment to cause us to produce fruit. He is our helper and all we need to do is accept him so will can receive the help.

But again there is a time limit. He says, “let it alone this year also” Jesus is holding back Gods judgement for a season. So that you can get right. When that time is up no one knows. So we better get it together quick before God comes again looking for His fruit and figs none.

Lastly He says “and IF it bears fruit, well” If is to say it is not a guarantee that the tree will bare fruit. Some people just reject God all together. Some people will take the blessing and squander it. But those who are called by His name, Those who believe in the Lord shall have everlasting life. They will take the blessing and produce fruit.

and those who don’t well the parable end with “ But if not, after that you can cut it down”

Those who don’t produce fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire!