Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
“Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
- Luke 12:54-13:9 (NJKV)
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The Parable of the Fig tree
This week’s parable again highlights how critically important context is to the proper understanding of the parables spoken by our Lord. It helps us to really understand the key point that is being made, and not get confused by something else… case in point right here… What do you think is the key point being made by the parable?
Take a moment and think about it before you read on…
God expects fruit from his trees - Is that what you came away with? Its not wrong, but that is not the MAIN focus of the parable. Its why we can miss what is the critical focus of the story, and why we included all of the preamble to it in this week’s text. So, let’s take a look at the context now….
Christ is talking to the multitudes (not just the disciples) which contain a mix of believers, sceptics, Pharisees, Sadducees, and just plain ordinary folk.
The first question is – “how is it you do not discern this time?” This is an indictment! The Messiah is in their midst, performing all that was prophesied, yet these people are going about their business as if nothing unusual was going on!
The second question is also an indictment. “Why do you not judge what is right?” Like the first question, this is a direct accusation of foolishness at best, and bad behavior at worst. The worldly application is the foolishness of picking a fight you cannot win – the court is going to come down on the side of your adversary, and you will pay for it with your substance and your freedom. The deeper implication is – seek forgiveness while it may still be found, for there is coming a time when those avenues will be shut forever. We are all guilty before God – we should settle with Him NOW – while there is still time!
At that time, or shortly after these proclamations, a smaller group appears to have stayed to tell Jesus of the ‘signs’ they were witnessing – the oppression of the Jews by the Romans – in this instance Pilate, who appears to have killed some Galileans and mingled their blood with the sacrifices they were offering. Ancient and modern Historians are unclear as to what this is referring to (as they are about the fall of the tower that Jesus mentions as well) – but there were numerous revolts at that time that were bloodily suppressed by the Romans, and some of that slaughter took place in the temple too.
The key words repeated here, and the reason why we have linked the previous passages to this parable are, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”.
Death is sudden, and overtakes us all in ways that we cannot foresee. The persons who died when the tower fell on them were not greater sinners than others currently dwelling in Jerusalem – the fall of that tower was not specific Divine judgment. Sudden death is a natural consequence of dwelling in a fallen world, where what happens here is not always the Will of God. This is a very controversial statement, so please let us explain so that we may not be misunderstood.
“Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven” – is a prayer, not a statement of fact. Gods gift of free will comes with consequences – one of which arises out of its abuse. It is a theological, and logical fact, that a universe with free will, and containing evil arising out of its abuse – is a MORALLY SUPERIOR universe to that in which there is no free will, and hence no evil. We know that to be true because that is the universe our God has chosen to create!
Apart from fallen angels, Man is the only being in this universe that rebels against the Law of God. Planets, Galaxies, and every atom know and keep their places and orbits, fish, animals, birds, insects, bacteria, all move with the ebb and flow of the seasons, being true to their nature. No trees ever decide to suddenly bring forth different fruit, but yield fruit – after their kind – in season. In God’s wisdom, He has permitted the enemy and fallen man to be free (within limits) over this world.
Once we understand this, we realize that evil acts can affect good/bad people – drunk drivers kill innocent people, stray bullets kill people in their beds, school children are killed by possessed maniacs, cheap and bad mortar causes towers to collapse. We can be comforted in the knowledge that a) Death is not the end b) God is watching over and will justify the innocent c) He will eventually judge the wicked and put an end to everything. That is His SOVEREIGN and EFFICACIOUS Will which will not be denied, but His PERMISSIVE will still allows evil on this planet for a season – which we all recognize and deal with every day.
Which finally brings us to the parable!
There is a timetable set for all of our lives which we do not know. That is the discussion between the owner of the vineyard and the gardener. A year was given to the tree before it would be cut down. “Repent or ye will likewise perish” meaning Change or Bear Fruit -while there is still time!
Its interesting that we have a Fig tree in a Vineyard. Vineyards are for vines! What is a fig tree doing here?
Culturally – the Jews were pretty careful about not sowing fields with mixed seeds (based on the Law - Lev 19:19), but this was permitted by the Rabbis – and it was common to have different rows of trees with different fruit from them. Typically, a fig tree fruit would take time to ripen, and the period of 3 years was not uncommon for some varieties for blooming, maturity and ripeness. Beyond 3 years however, and you were sure that this tree was not going to do anything.
The Vineyard is also a motif in both the Old and New Testament. Isa. 5:1–7; 27:2, 3; Jer. 12:10; Matt. 20:1–16; 21:28–31, 33–41. The owner of the Vineyard is God Himself, and it is His vineyard. The daughter of Zion is likened to a cottage/tower in the midst of it (Isa 1:8, 5:2, Matt 21:33, Mark 12:1). In Isaiah 5, God is disappointed that His vineyard is bringing forth wild grapes. In Jeremiah (12:10) he is angry with the keepers that have trodden it underfoot. In the New Testament parables, we see Him hiring workers (Matt 20), sending sons to work in it (Matt 28), and dealing with the keepers that rebelled and killed His Son (Matt 21:33-41).
In context now, we can be reasonably sure that the fig tree represents the nation of Israel. Some commentators have speculated that the 3 years represent the 3 years of Christ’s ministry, but there are difficulties with this interpretation in terms of accounting for an additional year.
What we ARE certain about, and why we are repeatedly linking it with the term “Repent or ye will likewise perish” is that Jerusalem was sacked in 70 AD by Rome, and the majority of the inhabitants killed. Only Christians, that were mindful of Christ’s message in Matthew 24, escaped by leaving the city prior to the invasion. Possibly the greater part of the multitude that Jesus was speaking to here, died. Prophetic words indeed!
The parable also presents to us a beautiful picture of Intercession. The gardener or keeper could be the Son or the Spirit – it does not matter – we see time bought for the tree, and no effort or expense spared to make sure it had everything it needed to bring forth fruit!
The chilling words come after that… “But if not, after that you can cut it down”. This is from the One who Intercedes for us!
John the Baptist presents an even more scary picture of the Axe being already at the foot of the tree! “Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. --- And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.---- (Lk 3:7-9) – This is the exact same message that Christ is bringing here!
What are we to do with this parable today?
A. Beware of false security … saying “I am a Child of God/Abraham”… examine your life for the fruits of the Spirit to make your calling and election sure! Make peace with God through acknowledging Christ your Savior, while there is still time (you are on the way to the court) for if you have not hidden your life in Christ - God Himself will be your adversary and your Judge.
B. Live with the knowledge that every day could be your last. It could be the providence of God to take you home any time, by any means. Live, as much as is possible for you, peaceably with all men! Enjoy your time here, and the company of those you love – that is what is important!
C. If you are indulging in bad behavior, be warned. You may not have the time you think you do. Change NOW… or tomorrow may be too late!
It is a fact, that one of the ancient methods of dealing with unfruitful trees was to have a conversation about cutting it down in front of it (and lay an axe to the root!), and then water and fertilize it – and this was supposed to be effective! People who talk to their plants know what I am talking about here!
Let’s be smarter than the trees ! Hallelujah!