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Luke Chapter 13 is the focus of our attention this week and in particular, verses 1-9. Please read them every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 13:6 (NIV)
‘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.”’
I can’t really explain why, but I really like Bonsai Trees. Perhaps it’s because of Mr Miyagi from the film ‘The Karate Kid’. If you’ve never seen the film, then this will mean absolutely nothing to you, but there was a building caretaker who kept Bonsai trees. The way in which he looked after them and trimmed them was quite appealing and over the years I’ve tried several times to emulate Mr Miyagi and failed on each occasion.
I’ve studied the ‘art’ of growing Bonsai trees and despite my best efforts, I just can’t get the things to grow properly. I think my biggest problem is that I just don’t have the patience required. I came across this quote and instantly knew why Bonsai trees weren’t going to work for me: “Bonsai is not a race, nor is it a destination. It is a never-ending journey.”
I guess I wanted the things to grow quickly and that I’d be able to prune a bit here and there and everything would be wonderful. Unfortunately, they just don’t behave like that. I just didn’t have the patience or disposition to really make them a success for me.
Given my lack of green finger skills, it’s no surprise to know that I just don’t have much knowledge about gardening or plants. So, when I read of fig trees in the Bible, I have to rely on experts to advise me on such matters. I have consulted many such experts and I’m reliably informed that generally, it takes a long time for a fig tree to bear fruit.
Also, on this kind of tree, fruit is not visible from a long distance. It is normally hidden under the foliage and so that you need to walk close to the tree to examine and look for the fruit. It is normal for there to be no fruit for the first 4 or 5 years and they bear fruit only once or twice a year. However, once they start producing fruit, they can continue to do so for decades. Any owner isn’t looking for short term results, but is investing in long term fruitfulness.
It’s also worth noting that because the owner had planted the tree ‘in his own vineyard’, there is an expectation for the tree to grow properly. The soil is good, the tree would be well taken care of and therefore there is no reason why growth shouldn’t take place. In fact, fruit on that tree was fully expected and yet he was not finding any.
The context of this parable is the previous verses about repentance and conversion. It is fair to assume then that this parable is following on from that and that not only are we expected to submit our lives to God, and to allow Him to ‘plant’ us where He chooses. We are also expected to bear fruit! We can have the best foliage and look good, but God will come looking with an expectation of finding fruit.
Today, let us take some time out to prayerfully consider what is actually in evidence in our lives. Are we bearing fruit or are we just ‘looking good’?
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