And He told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground? And he answered him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” (Luke 13:6-9 ESV)
This vividly spoken parable speaks loudly to all who will hear it. To the Jews, the meaning must have been poignant and should have been understandable. The fig tree is considered to be the most valuable of the trees in and around Palestine. It was very productive, carrying its fruit for 10 months out of the year, bearing three crops of figs. Its value is also seen in that it was more dependable in its yield than grapes; therefore, it was common for such trees to be planted inside of vineyards. The patience of the owner of this particular tree had finally run out; the tree must be cut down. The vinedresser, who had undoubtedly spent time and effort with this very tree pled for an additional year for the tree to bear fruit. His efforts would be intensified with the hope of the sought after crop. If, however, the tree still persisted in its unfruitfulness, the vinedresser also consented to the death sentence.
The tree, in our eyes, must have represented the Jewish nation. The vineyard, then, would be symbolic of the enclosure of privilege given to the nation. Israel had been blessed abundantly with the oracles of God (Romans 3:1-2) for the duration of its time as a nation. God had treated the Jews as His children (Jeremiah 3:19) and even set Israel apart as a beloved wife (Isaiah 54:5-6). The land that had been provided for Israel was “flowing with milk and honey” (Numbers 13:27). God expected the nation, then, to bear fruit, which is more than simply doing good deeds. Therefore, holy character should have been produced within this enclosure of privilege. The three years represents the whole course of Israel’s history. Cutting down the tree would undoubtedly refer to the removal of this nation, ultimately seen in its destruction in A.D. 70. The vinedresser is the Lord Himself interceding on its behalf. The additional year, then, would consist of Jesus’ ministry and that of the apostles. After this period of longsuffering, Jesus would consent to the removal and the ultimate destruction of this once favored nation. To make this application to the ancient people of Israel is easily done; however, God’s people today must take an introspective look. We may give three divisions of this parable: (1) A Privileged Position, (2) A Reasonable Anticipation and (3) A Benevolent Intervention.
The Jews were favored highly and truly privileged. How much more so have we been advantaged? The Jews had only a partial revelation from God, whereas we have been given the complete will of Heaven. They were given prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah and Daniel; we have been given the teaching of the Son of God (Hebrews 1:1-2).
It was reasonable for God to expect fruit from such a venue of circumstances. Does He expect less from us today? We must bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Bearing fruit is not just what we do outwardly in our Christian service, but we must of necessity begin with the motivation of a good and an honest character. God may say of us today, “I have given them every possible blessing and opportunity to develop good character and produce fruit, but yet, they are so materialistic that they have made no progress; hence, cut them down.”
The benevolent vinedresser interceded on Israel’s behalf. God’s wrath is operable because of our sin (Romans 6:23); however, Jesus pleads on our behalf and makes salvation possible (1 Timothy 2:5). We may think that we have gotten away with our sins and our lack of bearing fruit. We may be fooled into believing that God has become indifferent to our sins. He is not indifferent but longsuffering (2 Peter 3:3-10). There is a limit to God’s forbearance! He destroyed Jerusalem, and He will destroy this world with all who do not obey His Word (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). A loving Savior and a philanthropic God make salvation possible. Let us not rebuff the longsuffering of our God but rather, let us “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
