Scripture-
Luke 13:5-9 – “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit and he 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.”
Observation-
Jesus begins by clarifying that bad things don’t happen only because of sin and that one sinner isn’t worse than another. Jesus shares the gospel truth that everyone needs to repent from their sin and turn to God or all will die. In the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus shows the love God has for us and his patience in us to follow him and bear fruit.
Application –
I must remember that we are all sinners dead without hope to save ourselves apart from the blood of Christ on the cross at Calvary. This means I don’t have the right to rank order my sin as not as consequential as someone else’s sin. What I do need to be thankful for is a loving God who is patient and gives us time to hear the message, repent to turn and follow Him. God did not give us a one and done scenario in our ability to respond to the gospel. I, in turn need to have patience with someone whom I am sharing the gospel and life with. God will place things in our path and use them to draw near to Him. My walk is not complete and I am to continue to follow Jesus daily.
Prayer –
Father,
Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to pay for my sins so I could repent and have a relationship with you. Help me to have your patience for others as I share your love and gospel.