The Parable Of The Fig Tree In The Vineyard Series

Thus rather than asking the question “Why?” with regard to suffering, we should ask the question, “What does this tragedy teach me?” Our Lord’s answer is;

Tragedies should teach us that since death and judgment are imminent, we need to be ready through true repentance.

We must understand at the outset that repentance alone cannot atone for our sin. The blood of Christ alone satisfies God’s just wrath against our sin. We can weep over our sins for days, but our tears will not get us into heaven. Our sorrow for our sins does not somehow cancel out the debt we owe. Only Jesus Christ and His shed blood can atone for our sins. Our trust must be in Him alone, not in our own faith or repentance. Repentance and a change of lifestyle will see us through. We have to change our life of rebellion against God and be in obedience to the words of the Scriptures.

In order to repent of our sins initially and to grow in repentance, we need to get a bigger view of God’s absolute holiness and of His right to judge sinners; and we need a deeper view of our own sinfulness, down to the heart level. Both Jesus’ words in 13:3 & 5 assume God’s sovereign right to judge every sinner. He is the creator and rightful owner of all that exists. It’s His vineyard and we are His fig trees, planted there for His purpose and use. As the owner of the fig trees, God has the right to expect those trees to produce fruit for His use. If they do not produce, He is perfectly just to cut down those trees and throw them in the fire. "Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire," said John in Matthew 3:10. No one can dare say, “What do You think You’re doing?” if God decides to cut down an unfruitful tree. He made it for His purpose; He owns it; He can do what He chooses with it. The more we see of God’s sovereign and holy right to judge His creation, the quicker we will be to repent of our sins.

But also, to repent initially and to grow in daily repentance, we also must see our utter sinfulness and rebellion before Him. The owner of the vineyard planted the fig tree within the confines of the wall of his vineyard. It enjoyed his protection, his nurture, and his care. It drank up water from his supply and nutrients from his soil. But it were useless in the purpose for which the owner planted them. The fig tree didn’t produce any fruit.

Jesus, then, is teaching that because of our sin and our lack of fruit none of us deserves exemption from spiritual death. If we all got what we deserve, we would instantly perish. Since life is fragile and the future is uncertain, we all need to get right with God before we die. The way to get right with God is through genuine heart repentance, where we confess our sins to Him and turn to Him from sin to receive His mercy. When we see someone else going through a tragedy, it should drive us to apply all these things to ourselves. Tragedies are God’s gracious reminders that a worse end than a horrible death awaits us if we do not repent. As He said (12:5), “I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”