"Then he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard. "for three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up this soil?' 'Sir,'the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'" Luke 13:6-9
As the vineyard owner looked for fruit on his fig tree so God seeks fruit in our lives. A fig tree that bears no figs takes up valuable space in the vineyard. It requires extra cultivation and care to become fruitful or else it is to be cut down to make room for another tree. Our purpose as Christ followers is to bear kingdom fruit that glorifies the Father. To become more fruitful we need to submit to the hand of the Gardner (the Father, see John 15:1) in order to allow Him to prune, cultivate, and fertilize our life for fruitfulness. May it never be said of us that we are only taking up valuable space but rather that through God's grace we are bearing the fruit He desires.
Father, I submit to your hand. Cultivate my life so that I may bear the fruit that You desire in the place where you have planted me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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Repentance of a nation is what Jesus preached in the early passages of Luke 13; the fig tree, the symbol of the nation of Israel or people. Wholesale judgment was on the way unless nationwide repentance occurred. Repentance that seldom used word is still very much commanded by the Lord, yes even today for all humans and nations, still. Repentance is the flip side of the coin of faith, one is incomplete without the other. The owner of the fig tree is the LORD, the vinedresser is Jesus; because of the unbelief and disobedience the nation or fig tree remained barren for the entire 3 1/2 years of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, earning the wrath and judgment of GOD. The great GARDNER was once again merciful and longsuffering, just as He is still today...
ReplyDeleteLord thank You for Your longsuffering, tender mercy and unmerited grace; I pray Lord that an attitude of repentance may be preached everywhere around the world and in our most blessed nation. That hearts will turn dear Lord to You for the hope and sureness so many are digging for. Help us dear Lord as a nation and people to right our hearts to You "who exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in all the earth, help us to understand and know that You are the LORD."