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.’”
Yesterday, we learned from
Jesus that He is calling us to repent of our sins. This is to say He is seeking that we “turn
away” from our trespasses and come to an agreement with God concerning it. Today He speaks a parable concerning diving
judgment. It concerns a plant that is
not producing fruit or evidence of its grace.
When the Master says destroy it, the vine dresser urges the master to
relent and delay his judgment until the plant is given one more season to
flourish. The vine dresser pledges to
work with and on the plant so that it has a good opportunity to produce. And the vine dresser concedes that if then it
doesn’t bear fruit according to its grace, then destroy it. To the Christian it is a reminder that God’s
judgment is certain. He gives us time
and opportunity to make ourselves right with Him. But the day is coming where no more time will
be given to receive the Son and His covering.
Then, to those who do not believe, they will be cast into outer darkness
where there is weeping and mashing of teeth.
So receive the gospel while it is available and free.
Daily Prayer:
Open the eyes of our heart Lord so that we believe and commit ourselves
to being Your followers. By Your grace,
allow us to image You in our life so that when people see us, they can tell
that we know You and are Your follower.
In Your holy name I pray A
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