“He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” (Luke 13:6-9 KJV).
What a beautiful illustration of God's grace, patience, and second chances! Rather than a harsh threat of judgment, we see our Lord Jesus Christ - the gardener, intervening on behalf of the fruitless fig tree - representing us, the believers. He offers to cultivate and nourish it, showing that our Lord Jesus never gives up on us, and is committed to let us bear much fruit.
In these verses, our Lord Jesus Christ is basically reminding us that we are on borrowed time. And, in Him, we've been extended a season of grace to be fruitful. So, we've got to be fruitful. And, we will! No more playing around with religion and matters of the world. This parable is a picture of second chances through grace, with the Lord’s intercession. While the fig tree - representing us, produced no fruit, the Lord Jesus - the gardener, intercedes to care for it (to loosen the ground around and fertilize it) rather than condemn and destroy it. By this, He offers Grace for us to have the potentiality to bear fruit.
And, we will bear fruit, not because of our self effort, but because of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit who is in us when we believe in Him, and rest upon His grace. The Holy Spirit, who lives in us the moment we receive His Lordship over our lives, produces His fruit through us. We, being the branches connected to the Lord Jesus being the Vine, bear much fruit (John 15:5). Freed from the passions of the flesh, Scriptures affirm, as it is written: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22-24 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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