This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
I will do something different today. We have been looking at Luke 13:6-9. Today we will look at verses 1-5 first, and I will address the context.
(Luke 13:1-5 ERV)
1 Some people there with Jesus at that time told him about what had happened to some worshipers from Galilee. Pilate had them killed. Their blood was mixed with the blood of the animals they had brought for sacrificing.
2 Jesus answered, “Do you think this happened to those people because they were more sinful than all other people from Galilee?
3 No, they were not. But if you don’t decide now to change your lives, you will all be destroyed like those people!
4 And what about those 18 people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than everyone else in Jerusalem?
5 They were not. But I tell you if you don’t decide now to change your lives, you will all be destroyed too!”
Now let’s look at the passage we have been talking about.
(Luke 13:6-9 NKJV)
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ “
In Luke 13, Jesus had a conversation with some Israelites (Jews). The people talking to Jesus brought up a group of worshippers who Pilate killed. The connotation was that they were killed because they had done something wrong. Jesus asked, “Do you think this happened to those people because they were more sinful than all other people from Galilee?” Jesus then answered His own question by saying, “No, they were not. But if you don’t decide now to change your lives (REPENT), you will all be destroyed like those people!” Jesus went on to talk about 18 people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them. The people in the area thought that if they died that way, surely it was because they had sin in their life. So Jesus asked, “Do you think they were more sinful than everyone else in Jerusalem?” Jesus, once again, answered His own question and said, “They were not. But I tell you, if you don’t decide now to change your lives (which means, REPENT), you will all be destroyed too!“
This is the context for the parable of the barren fig tree.
So, what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. The people talking to Jesus were focused on the sins of others while conveniently overlooking their own.
— It’s so easy to see the sin in someone else’s life without acknowledging your own.
— Judgment often blinds us to our own imperfections.
— By focusing on others, they were avoiding personal accountability and introspection.
— This is a defense mechanism to divert attention from one’s own shortcomings.
— True spiritual growth requires self-awareness and self-examination.
2. The people talking to Jesus thought that bad things happened to people because of their sin.
— They were insinuating that the people killed by Pilate or those killed when the tower of Siloam fell brought it upon themselves because of sin.
— By thinking this, they had a mentality that thought these people deserved it.
— This mentality also thinks, “Well, they deserved it, and I do not. I am not like them.”
— Such a mindset promotes a self-righteous attitude and lacks compassion.
— It’s a dangerous belief that equates suffering with sinfulness, leading to a lack of empathy.
— This perspective is limiting and fails to recognize the complexities of life and the multifaceted nature of God’s will.
— There are some things we will not understand until we get to heaven.
3. Jesus ignored their attempts at piety, and He made it clear that if they failed to repent, they would be destroyed!
— Jesus did not allow these people to find comfort in pointing fingers at others.
— Jesus wanted them to consider their own lives.
— Jesus emphasized the urgency of personal repentance over judgment.
— He redirected their focus from external events to internal transformation.
— Jesus highlighted the importance of self-reflection and the need for genuine repentance.
— He challenged them to rise above superficial judgments and to prioritize their own spiritual well-being.
— The call to repentance is universal, emphasizing that no one is exempt from God’s standard or His eventual justice!
4. Jesus used the parable to emphasize the value of time and the urgency of repentance.
— Every moment we are given is an opportunity to align ourselves with God’s will.
— The barren fig tree symbolizes missed opportunities and the potential consequences of inaction.
— Just as the fig tree was given time to bear fruit, we too are given time to produce spiritual fruits in our lives.
— Just like delayed obedience is disobedience, delayed repentance is a risk. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and today is the day of salvation.
— God’s grace provides us with chances, but there’s an expectation of repentance because growth and transformation do not come until you repent.
5. The grace and patience of God are evident, but they are not limitless.
— The gardener’s plea for more time for the fig tree mirrors God’s patience with us, always hoping for our turnaround.
— However, there comes a point where grace must give way to justice.
— God’s love is unconditional, but His patience has limits. Continuous rejection of His call can lead to missed blessings and opportunities.
— The parable serves as a reminder that God’s grace, while abundant, should not be taken for granted.
— It’s a call to action, urging believers to be proactive in their spiritual journey, bearing fruits of repentance, love, and righteousness.
6. External appearances can be deceiving.
— The barren fig tree, standing tall in the vineyard, might have appeared healthy, but its lack of fruit revealed its true condition.
— Similarly, outward religious practices or displays of piety don’t necessarily reflect a true connection with God.
— Simply put, there are people who know how to LOOK THE PART!
— When the Prophet Samuel was in Jesse’s home, he missed God for a moment because he got caught up with external appearances, and God had to remind Samuel that He looks at the heart!
— God looks beyond our external actions to the motives and intentions of our hearts.
— It’s essential to ensure our external actions align with genuine internal transformation.
— True faith is not just about looking the part but living an authentic relationship with God, producing lasting fruit; fruit that produce change in this life and in the one to come!
7. God desires genuine transformation, not just temporary change.
— The gardener’s hope for the fig tree wasn’t just for a single season of fruit but for ongoing fruitfulness.
— God isn’t looking for momentary acts of piety or short-lived repentance; He desires a lifelong journey of growth and transformation.
— Temporary change is like a quick fix, but genuine transformation requires deep-rooted shifts in beliefs, values, and actions.
— God’s grace empowers us to undergo this transformation, moving from fleeting changes to enduring spiritual maturity.
— Our journey with God is a marathon, not a sprint, and He provides the grace and resources needed for sustained spiritual growth.
8. Stay locked-in on your assignment, not “theirs.”
— In this fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to get sidetracked, especially when we start focusing on what others are doing or not doing. But remember, every distraction is a moment taken away from our God-given purpose.
— We’ve all been there, looking at someone else’s life, thinking they’ve got it all, or perhaps, thinking they’ve missed the mark. But that’s not our assignment. Our assignment is to look inward, to align ourselves with God’s plan for our lives.
— It’s tempting (I know) to judge or to think we know the reasons behind someone else’s circumstances. But God didn’t call us to be judges; He called us to be light bearers and love spreaders.
— I run into Christians from time to time who tell me, “Rick, I am not a judge, I am just a fruit inspector! God said that we would know them by their fruit. I am just inspecting for fruit.” I get it. But don’t get so busy inspecting the lives of others that you fall into a false sense of security for your own sin. Check your own heart!
— Every time we shift our focus from our own journey to someone else’s, we’re missing out on what God is trying to show or teach us. It’s like trying to run a race while looking sideways – you’re bound to stumble.
— Our Father has a unique plan for each of us. It’s tailor-made. So, why waste time comparing or judging? Instead, let’s pour that energy into diving deeper into our relationship with Him and walking out our purpose with passion.
— At the end of the day, it’s not about what they did or didn’t do. It’s about what we did with the grace, opportunities, and assignments God gave us. Let’s ensure we’re maximizing every moment, staying true to our call, and producing the fruit that comes from a life lived in alignment with Him.
— So, as you go forward, remember to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and stay locked-in on your assignment. Everything else is just noise.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I prioritize self-awareness over judgment, seeking to see my own imperfections before others’.
I reject mindsets that equate suffering with sin, trusting wholly in Your divine plan and purpose.
I embrace the urgency of repentance, focusing on my spiritual growth rather than pointing fingers.
Every moment is a divine gift from You, Father. Today, I choose obedience and transformation.
Grateful for Your grace, I commit to bearing fruits of love, repentance, and righteousness.
Beyond external appearances, I seek a genuine heart transformation, desiring an authentic relationship with You.
I stay locked-in on my God-given assignment, avoiding distractions and comparisons, and focusing solely on Your purpose for me.
My eyes remain fixed on Jesus, ensuring every step aligns with Your will. Everything else is just noise.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
