Week 22: An Unfruitful Tree

“…A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down.”  Luke 13:6-9

My Summary & Reflection

In this parable a man had fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came to the tree looking for fruit for three years, but each time the tree was barren of fruit.  He then talked to the groundskeeper and told him to cut down the tree as it was a burden to the ground where it stood. The groundskeeper answered the vineyard owner by asking for an opportunity to try to save the tree.  The groundskeeper would tend to the tree and fertilize it over the next year. If the tree would then become fruitful, it would be saved.  If not, then it would be cut down.

This parable, along with others offered by Jesus, leads me to the conclusion that Jesus is saying that men and women have a purpose here on earth.  Like the fig tree, whose purpose it is to provide figs fit to eat, so too do we have a purpose.  Our fruits are our words and deeds that either conform to the directives provided us by Jesus or they don’t; Or they either fulfill the mission to which we are specially gifted or they don’t.  As discussed in A Tree is Known by its Fruit, Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits…” Matthew 7:16 Another parable in which Jesus alludes to our purpose is Man Distributing Talents.  In it, Jesus talks about a man being entrusted with valuable things and his ultimate fate being determined by how productive he is with what he is given.  Similarly, in this way, this parable talks of what happens to a person, who is given all that he needs, and still is not productive.  As in the fig tree, this unproductive person will be cut down.

In this parable, I believe that Jesus is referring to himself as the groundskeeper.  He is the one asking for the chance to save the tree. He took it upon himself to care for the tree and to fertilize it in order that it might have the chance to be productive and to survive.  But ultimately, it is up to the tree to either produce or not.  The groundskeeper can provide support and guidance, but it is the tree that must produce. If a fig tree doesn’t produce figs, then why is it there utilizing the space and the resources of the earth?  It will be cut down.  Just as a fig tree must fulfill its purpose,so must we.

Your Reflection

• Are you being an unfruitful tree?  How can you change that?
• What is your purpose and how can you achieve it?