Jesusbegins, “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he cameseeking fruit on it, and found none. Then he said to the vinedresser, ‘Behold,these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut itdown; why does it cumber the ground?’” In Jewish law (Leviticus19:23-25), a new tree’s fruit wasn’t eaten for three years, the fourth year’scrop went to God, and the owner enjoyed it from the fifth year on. This ownerhad waited seven years—far beyond the norm—yet the tree remained barren.Frustrated, he orders it cut down, tired of it wasting good soil.
Butthe story doesn’t end there. The vinedresser intercedes: “Lord, let it alonethis year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it. And if it bears fruit,well; and if not, then after that you shall cut it down”. Theparable stops abruptly, leaving us to ponder the outcome. Did the tree bearfruit? Was it spared or chopped down? Jesus leaves it open-ended, shifting thefocus from the tree’s fate to ours.
Thisparable speaks on two levels: to the nation of Israel and to us as individuals.For Israel, the fig tree was a symbol (Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:18-20). God,the owner, had lavished it with unique blessings—covenants, commandments,patriarchs, prophets, and priests (Romans 9:1-5). Unlike Gentile nations leftto fend for themselves, Israel was planted in fertile soil to bless the world.Jesus, the vinedresser, spent three years of ministry crossing the land,teaching with unmatched wisdom and working miracles like no one else. Yet, thenation remained barren, rejecting Him in unbelief. “Why does it cumber theground?” it was asked—Israel wasn’t just fruitless; it spoiled the soil byfailing its calling.
Still,God’s patience shines through. The vinedresser pleads for one more year—moretime to dig, fertilize, and nurture. This mirrors the forty years after Jesus’ministry when the early church, starting with a Jewish remnant at Pentecost,preached the gospel powerfully to the nation. But rejection persisted. By AD70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple—the tree was cut down. God’sgrace had limits; judgment came when the borrowed time ran out.
Ona personal level, this parable is a mirror. God is gracious and long-suffering(2 Peter 3:9), doing more than enough to draw us to repentance and fruitfulness(Matthew 3:7-10). He has every right to cut us down for our barrenness, yet inmercy, He spares us. The three years might reflect Jesus’ ministry in ourlives—His presence, teaching, and Spirit working to produce fruit like love,faith, and obedience. The extra year is His ongoing patience, giving us time torespond. But we can’t presume on His kindness forever—judgment will come (James5:9).
Theopen ending is intentional. Like the Book of Jonah, it forces us to finish thestory with our own lives. The question isn’t “What happened to the tree?” but“What will happen to me?” God seeks fruit—real, tangible evidence of a changedlife. He won’t accept substitutes like excuses or good intentions. When we hearof tragedies claiming lives, we should ask, “Am I just taking up space, or am Ibearing fruit for God’s glory?” The time to repent and grow is now—“Now is theday of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ClosingChallenge
Reflecton your own “fig tree” this week. Where is God seeking fruit in yourlife—perhaps in your relationships, service, or devotion? Identify one barrenarea and take a step to nurture it—pray for strength, serve someone, or rootout a sin. Don’t let this extra year pass fruitlessly; respond to His patiencewith action today.
Prayer
HeavenlyFather, thank You for Your patience, sparing us when we deserve judgment. Likethe vinedresser, You tend us with grace, seeking fruit. Forgive our barrennessand stir us to repent and grow. Help us bear fruit that glorifies You—love,faith, and obedience. Give us urgency to act now, trusting Your mercy won’tlast forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
