MEDITATIONS FROM THE PARABLES OF JESUS
THE BARREN FIG TREE
Read Luke 13:1-9
Have you ever wondered why some are suddenly
taken by death, whether that be by accident, disease, or natural disaster? Have
you ever assumed that it was because they were worse sinners than others who
were not taken? In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus tells us that such occurrences do not
necessarily mean that those who died were worse sinners than others; rather we
should all take warning and know that unless we repent of our sins and turn to
our Savior for forgiveness and life everlasting, we too will perish. God is
gracious to us sinners and grants us time to repent and turn to Christ for
forgiveness, but that time of grace will run out--sometimes suddenly and
unexpectedly! The Scriptures tell us: "It is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the Judgment" (Hebrews
The parable of the fig tree illustrates God's gracious dealings with us; but it also warns us that His grace, if spurned, will come to an end. The LORD God created us that we might produce fruit for Him and serve Him by doing good works; but, as sinners, none of us are able to please God or do works acceptable in His sight (cf. Rom. 3:9ff, Isaiah 64:6). It is only through faith in Christ that we have forgiveness for our sins and are enabled to live for God and do works which are pleasing to Him (cf. John 15:1-6). Therefore, when the Lord looks for fruit in men's lives, He finds none unless they first repent and trust in the Savior.
Even though all of us are by nature like the barren fig tree and deserve to be cut down, God is gracious to us. Rather than cutting us down, He grants us more time to hear the warnings of the Law and the comfort of the Gospel. He seeks to bring us to true repentance--working in us godly sorrow over our sins and sincere faith in the Redeemer, and giving us a desire to amend our sinful lives and live for Him in accord with His holy Word (cf. II Peter 3:9-10).
If we still do not repent and bear fruits meet for repentance, we can be assured that God's gracious dealing with us will run out! Death and Judgment will come, and then it will be too late!
Let us heed Christ's warning and repent now, before our time of grace runs out as it has for so many others! By the gracious working of God, turn from your sins to Christ your Savior. He, by His innocent sufferings and death, has paid in full the punishment for your sins. In Him is forgiveness and the strength to amend your sinful lives. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2; cf. 5:15ff.).
Dear Savior, draw reluctant hearts; to Thee let sinners fly and take the bliss Thy love imparts and drink and never die. Amen. (TLH, Hymn #281, Verse 5)