Wednesday, July 24, 2024

The Parables of Jesus Series

Tonight’s Study – Session 27: The Parable of The Barren Fig Tree

Introduction: The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is a parable about a fig tree that doesn’t produce fruit. Jesus teaches in this parable a lesson about fruitlessness and how it applies to the nation of Israel as a whole and to each individual soul. This parable also illustrates both the intercession of Christ and the extreme patience and graciousness of our Heavenly Father.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is only found in the Gospel of Luke.

Let’s Take a look at Our Passage Where this Parable is Found

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. 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?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

(Luke 13:6–9)

What was the Context for this Parable?

Luke 13:1-5

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

(Luke 13:1–5)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree – Luke 13:6-9

Verse 6

The vineyard owner represents God, the one who rightly expects to see fruit on His tree and the one who can justly decide to destroy it when He finds none.           

Verse 7                                              

The gardener, or vineyard keeper who cares for the trees, watering and fertilizing them to bring them to their peak of fruitfulness, represents Jesus, who feeds His people and gives them living water. The fig tree itself has two symbolic meanings: the nation of Israel and the individual.

As the story unfolds, we see the vineyard owner expressing His disappointment at the fruitless fig tree. He has looked for fruit for *three years from this tree, but has found none.

*The three-year period is significant because for three years John the Baptist and Jesus had been preaching the message of repentance throughout Israel. But the fruits of repentance were not forthcoming. John the Baptist warned the people about the Messiah coming and told them to bring forth fruits fit for repentance because the axe was already laid at the root of the tree (Luke 3:8-9).

Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 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.” (Luke 3:8-9)

The Jews were offended by the idea they needed to repent, and they rejected their Messiah because He demanded repentance from them. After all, they had the revelation of God, the prophets, the Scriptures, the covenants, and the adoption (Romans 9:4-5).

who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. (Romans 9:4-5)

The Jews had it all, but they were already apostate. They had departed from the true faith and the true and living God and created a system of works-righteousness that was an abomination to God.

The vineyard owner is perfectly justified in cutting down the tree that had no fruit. The Lord’s ax was already poised over the root of the tree, and it was ready to fall.

Verse 8

We see the keeper of the vineyard pleading for a little more time. There was a few more months before Jesus’ crucifixion, and more miracles to come, especially the incredible miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, which would astound many and perhaps cause the Jews to repent. As it turned out, Israel as a nation still did not believe, but individuals certainly did (John 12:9-11).

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. (John 12:9-11)

The compassionate vineyard keeper (Jesus) intercedes for more time to water and fertilize the fruitless tree, and the gracious owner (God the Father) of the vineyard responds in patience. The patience of the vineyard owner was intended in the spiritual realm to lead Israel and all individuals in fact, to repentance.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

Verse 9

Verse 9 teaches us that for the individual, borrowed time is not permanent. God’s patience has a limit. One day, there will be no more opportunities for repentance. For all people who don’t know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, today is the day of salvation!

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Conclusion: In the parable, the vineyard owner grants another year of life to the tree. In the same way, God in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath. God is desiring to see fruit that is the result of true repentance. But if there is no fruit, no repentance, His patience will come to an end, and the fruitless, unrepentant individual will be cut down. We all live on borrowed time, judgment is near. That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Next Week, Session 28: The Parable of The Great Supper