This morning, we will study the parable of the barren fig tree. This parable is one of the shortest parables of our Lord in the Gospels.
We don’t have fig trees here in the Philippines, so most of us I believe have not seen a fig tree. Fortunately, the internet is giving us anything we want to know about this plant. For example, the Jewish Virtual Library.org gives this info: “Fig trees, along with wheat, barley, grape, pomegranates, olive oil and honey, were historically once the seven species of Jewish diet. These biblical seven species were the staple foods consumed by the Jewish people in the Land of Israel during biblical times. In biblical times the fig was eaten fresh or as a seasoning, in addition to being used to make honey and alcohol. It is also best eaten straight from the tree in the late afternoon after being baked naturally by the sun. Today, fig is an expensive delicacy.”
Fig trees are common in the Bible lands and figs are highly valued not only by the Jews but also by their neighbors (Ps.105:33). In Palestine fig trees yield two crops annually –one about June and one about August. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried. Fig cakes are worthy presents even for kings. Interestingly, in the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites were said to be the promised fig trees in the Promised Land (Deut 8:8). So, it’s not a surprise that the fig tree that bore no fruit in this parable has traditionally been referred to Israel, the landowner who planted the tree is God, and the caretaker who pleaded for the tree is Christ. However, the principle conveyed in this parable is not restricted to Israel alone; it can be applied to all God’s people in general.
Now, what is the Lord teaching us in this parable? The focal point of this parable is God’s expectation of His people, Israel or Christians. God is the owner of the vineyard who inspects and expects the fig tree –His people to bear fruit. There are three things about God’s expectation of His people as indicated in this parable:
A. IT IS DEFINITE
Verse 6 says, “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it.” Every time the owner came to his vineyard, he directly came to the fig tree and inspected it looking if there was fruit on it. The owner was expecting something from his fig tree –he expected it to have fruit. That is the most definite thing here. He did not come to inspect if the fig tree was good-looking, healthy, or green. He came to look for fruit. He was not greedy however; all he wanted was one fig to show proof of its potential.
Like the owner in the parable, the Lord is looking at us, at His people, inspecting with high expectation to see fruit on us. He is not so much interested on how we look, how we dress, how wealthy, healthy and resilient we are. Rather, He is so much interested on how we live or how we conduct ourselves in this world, before God and before men, as citizens of His kingdom. What the Lord is so expectant to see in the lives of His people is the fruits of righteousness, the works of faith, and the labors of love.
The Bible tells us that God always takes notice on what His people are doing. His message to the seven churches in the book of Revelations attests to this, it can be summed in one statement: “I know you and I know your works.” God knows our every deed and He promised to reward us accordingly. In the last chapter of Revelations the Lord says, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Paul, knowing this truth of God’s divine expectation, commended and urged all believers to continue with their works of faith, labors of love, and patience in hope.
If God would do an inspection of your life now, will He find fruits of righteousness? Will He find works of faith? Will He find you doing His business of sharing His love and demonstrating His saving power?
B. IT IS REASONABLE
The owner had a right to expect fruit from the fig tree. First of all, the fig tree was planted in the vineyard intentionally. The fact that the fig-tree was not a shrub means it had an owner. Its seed was not carried to its current spot by insect, bird or animal. Its germination, occupancy and sanctuary were intentional or planned, not accidental or random. It was a priority and it was given an honored position and unflattering attention and had advantages other fig trees could only dream of. It was planted in the vineyard, a plantation for grapes. It was given good care and entrusted into safe hands of men with green thumbs. The owner had all the time, help, and devotion for this tree. He had his employees fertilize the ground, water the tree, and check for bugs.
Then the owner made sure everything was done to ensure that the fig tree be a fruit-producing tree. He spared no expenses to fatten and grow the tree; he placed it in a vineyard, not even in his own backyard. It was not only under the care of experts, but also placed in the choicest of nurseries. It was planted in the choicest and superior soil and was given with the best gardening support.
Therefore, the fig tree had to give good produce or it would be a disappointment to the owner. It had to bear fruit or it would be a disgrace to the location where it was planted. It had to bear fruit or it would be more of a liability than an asset in the investment made for it.
Jesus says to His disciples and to all who would follow after Him, “I chose you and appointed you to bear much fruit for the glory of the Father.” Like the owner of the vineyard in this parable, God has the right to expect fruit from His people. He made the greatest investment in them. He chose them. He spared nothing to grow them in His vineyard, even the life of His Son. He made sure that everything was done to ensure productivity. He provided everything to make sure His people would be bearing the fruits of righteousness.
God has given every believer an honored position, unflattering attention, and great advantages that other people in this unbelieving world could only dream of. The believer was chosen to be in God’s own vineyard, enjoying the Lord’s attention and care. The believer is planted in the superior ground of Christ’s sacrifice, watered with the Word of Truth, fertilized with the ministry of the Spirit, and protected from evil bugs through the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore, the believer has to bear fruit or it would be a great disappointment to the Lord. Unfruitful Christian life is the greatest disappointment to God. It is the greatest disgrace to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It undermines the power and the purpose of God’s salvation. A believer who is not bearing fruits of righteousness is a disappointment to God, a disgrace to Christ’s sacrifice, and would be more of a liability to God’s vineyard –the Church, than an asset. It only depletes resources –space, time, and fertilizers.
Friends, do you see the wonderful truth here? Fruitful Christian life is the greatest glory that we can offer to God while we are still here on earth. God has put us in a position of life that gives us the opportunity to bring pleasure to Him. We have power to please our Creator. Let’s make God proud of us. Let’s make the Sacrifice of Jesus worthwhile.
C. IT IS TERMINABLE
The owner in the parable had only one thing in mind every time he came to his vineyard and this was not change for three years –to see if the fig tree were bearing fruit. He was waiting patiently year after year. He did not waive in his expectation. He continued to hope and expect that the fig tree would eventually bear fruit. But three years had been years of disappointment to him. The tree failed to yield fruit for three years. This is ominous that it is unlikely that such a tree will ever bear fruit in the coming years. So the owner decided to cut it down for good –to save precious water, fertilizers, space, and manpower. The landowner’s patience was exhausted. He gave the tree all the time and all the best gardening care in the world to bear fruit. The owner’s patience was generously long but it was not interminable.
This parable teaches us that God’s patience has limitation. God mercy itself can’t survive if people won’t respond in faith and obedience. There will come a time when God says, “That’s enough. Cut it down.” There will come a time that every tree that doesn’t produce fruit will be cut down permanently. Jude says, “They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots.” He spoke about people who lived their lives in disobedience to God. In Matthew 3:10 John the Baptist said, “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.”
In John 15:5-7 Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
Jesus is passing by this morning. He is coming to see if we have borne any fruit for His Kingdom. He is coming to see if we are dry, thirsty or hungry. He is still coming to help us to be productive. Don’t miss this opportunity! We never know when the last one will come.
Are you productive this morning? Some of the fig trees in this sanctuary are productive. They are in full bloom and the fruit that they are bearing is ripe and ready for harvest. There are others who are dry and thirsty and have not brought forth any fruit at all. There are still others who are beginning to turn green again in a spiritual sense but the fruit still isn’t there. Will we hear the Word of God today? Will its water bring us life or will we turn it away once again? Will we allow the Holy Spirit to fertilize us and change us into the image of Christ or will we refuse to allow Him to change us? The choice is ours. We can either become bearers of much fruit or we can be cut down and cast into the fire.
