The Parable Of The Unfruitful Fig Tree Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

CrossWay Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

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We are continuing our series of parables of Jesus. Whenever Jesus wanted to clarify the truths of the Kingdom of God, he used word pictures or illustrations called parables. The word parable means literally “to cast alongside.” In other words, the stories of the parables are not the truths in themselves, but rather, they are cast alongside truth to bring clarity and illuminate the truth in a way that you would not be able to recognize without the truth and the parable side by side. As I said before, parables are not morals. In fact, they're not meant to teach morals. They are meant to show you what the Kingdom of God is like.

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As I always say, the parables Jesus taught were taught in the context of something. This parable is no different. The parable that we're going to study is found in Luke chapter 13, verses 6 through 9. However, the 1st 5 verses of Luke give us some context of why Jesus taught this parable.

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1–5)

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What Jesus is explaining here is two tragedies near the Temple and The Pool of Siloam, where several people were killed. We don't have secular or gospel references to what Jesus refers to, but obviously, his disciples knew. It appears there was some disturbance between some Galileans and Pontius Pilate. The result was a massacre, probably ensued by the Romans.

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By referencing these events, Jesus is making two points. First, Jesus wants his disciples to get away from the performance-trap mindset when it comes to the things of God. It is tempting to explain away tragedy to God's judgment. Jesus tells his disciples not to make that quick and hasty assumption. In other words, events like these do not make the victims sinners who deserve to die more than everyone else.

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The second point that Jesus makes is what leads him to tell the parable. And the point is with the issue of repentance. Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action. It literally means to turn around. And Jesus is highlighting the importance of repentance. Life is fleeting and can quickly be taken away. Whether you’re from Galilee or Jerusalem, a Pharisee or a Zealot, whether you are from Maryland or California, a Baptist or a Brethren. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, young or old, whether you think of yourself as a sinner or a saint, or even if you don’t want to believe there is a God; you are under God’s judgment unless you repent and have faith in Jesus.

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Now we come to the Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree: And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” (Luke 13:6–9)

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There is an idiom that goes, “he is living on borrowed time.” It means that someone is continuing to survive against expectations. For instance, doctors may tell you, because of heart disease or a certain diagnosis, that death is imminent, so make the best of the life you have left. You are living on borrowed time. For someone living a life apart from the redemption of Jesus Christ, they are essentially dead men walking, or they are living on borrowed time.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

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Death is universal. It can come in all stages of life and at all ages. We do not know when will be our last moment here on earth. We are living essentially on borrowed time. We could die suddenly from a heart attack. We could die slowly from a disease. We could face some sort of unforeseen calamity to come and take us. We never know when we might be the victim of some outrageous violence. Just like the situations that Jesus talked about in the first 5 verses.