Cut It Down

Jesus said "a certain man" has made a third trip for the third year to the same tree. "A certain man" came upon this fig tree expecting fruit, but the tree was fruitless. For three years I came looking for figs. The first year I was "...seeking fruit." It was full of leaves and it appeared to have figs on it, but it had none, it was barren. This fig tree stood alone in the corner of the vineyard protected by its walls and nourished by its specially prepared rich and fertile soil. The owner deliberately placed it where it ought to be, can you hear him think out loud? So it could get the proper sunlight and the proper rain. I put it near some moist soil. The second year I came seeking fruit, but I suffered disappointment. The third year I waited patiently. I've come here three years in a row and found not one fig.

This tree is a blessed tree!

This tree didn't sprout wild by the roadside overnight.

This tree has an advantage over many other trees because it was planted in a vineyard.

This tree had all the privilege and the attention that the other trees had in the garden. It had good soil; rain, sunshine and the gardener probably put a little Miracle Grow around the tree. And this tree ought to bear figs.

Figs are supposed to appear before the leaves. Figs were expected from every tree in the vineyard. For you see, for three years Jesus came to this corner of the vineyard expecting to see fruit. He did not send anyone. He came looking for himself. And for three years He observed and suffered disappointment.

For you see, in this parable Jesus realized there is no tree more commonly fruitful than a fig tree. A fig tree bears choice fruit year round. And God wants every one of His children in His vineyard to be fruitful and multiply. Now, God expects fruit from each one of us. Because, "we are known by the fruit we bear."

Every year Jesus said, "a certain man" stopped by, but he was met with disappointment.

Every year Jesus said, "a certain man" stopped by, but he was let down.

Every year Jesus said, "a certain man" stopped by, but he found no figs. This tree is in debt to the owner, because it owes him three years worth of figs.

And oh my brothers and sisters, Jesus said, "a certain man" was highly disturbed! I'm tired of giving to this tree and it gives me nothing back! Well, some folks are just like that with God. Not only with God, but also with children and parents, Church and members, shepherd and sheep. Children won't take out the garbage can, won't clean up their room or make the bed they sleep on. They are constantly wanting and receiving but giving nothing in return.

Some members don't come to Church half the time and every time you look around, they want something from God. They are constantly wanting and receiving but give nothing in return. The shepherd wants something out of the sheep and the sheep want something out of the shepherd. They are constantly wanting and receiving, but giving nothing in return.

Yes, God give us so much and we give Him so little. We received from Him life. We receive from Him another day's journey. We receive from Him the sun, moon and stars. We receive from Him a reasonable portion of health and strength. We are constantly receiving from Him, but we are never giving back to the Lord. We receive from Him the air that we breathe and the blood that runs warm in our veins. God has given us so much but some people give God so little and sometimes nothing at all!