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Luke 13:6-9
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing 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 the 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.’”
Aren’t you glad that God is patient and gracious? His patience gives us the time we need to mature. His grace gives us the freedom to grow and allows for a few setbacks along the way. God is not finished with you. He graciously gives us time to bear fruit in our lives.
In today’s passage, Jesus tells a story about God’s patience and grace. The fig tree in the vineyard had ample time to bear fruit. It had been cultivated, nourished, and tended for three years. The owner of the vineyard was ready to give up on the tree. “Cut it down!” he said. “Why should it use up the soil?” But the man who cared for the vineyard pleaded for more time. He wanted to give it one more year of care and fertilization.
This parable is a great reminder that God doesn’t want to write you off. Others may give up on you. God won’t. He desires for you to grow and bear spiritual fruit. He wants you to flourish! He is patient and gracious. And…we should never take advantage of His goodness.
Father, thank You for Your patience and grace. Help me to be a tree in Your vineyard that bears fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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