“The Parable of the Fig Tree” (Luke 13:6-9)

Luke 13:6-9

 

Pastor Tom Johnson, February 28, 2016

A man had a fig tree planted on his fruit farm. One day he visited his property to see if he could get some fruit from his tree. He walked around the tree looking at each branch. There was not even one fig to be found. And so the man went to the gardener and said, “Look. I have been searching for fruit from the fig three for three years. I have never found even one fig. It’s time to take an ax to that tree. All it does is take up precious space and nutrients in the soil.” But the tree has an advocate in the gardener. The gardener has not lost faith in his tree. “Sir,” says the gardener to the owner of the fruit farm, “leave it alone. Give it one more year. Let me dig around it and fertilize it with manure. If by this time next year it bears fruit, fantastic. If not, by all means cut it down.” Both the owner of the fruit farm and the gardener who cares for it want the same thing. They want figs to grow on that pesky tree. The owner wants to create a sense of urgency. The gardener takes on that urgency upon himself. He will double his efforts to give that tree all the resources it needs to do what it was planted to do—to bear fruit.

The people of God are like a tree planted . The nation of Israel was planted where it was to bring beauty, glory to God, and fruit for the world. They were supposed to be a blessing to all the families of the earth—like a tree planted in the garden of this world to nourish all peoples. But each generation of trees failed to deliver. One king would rise up only to fail God in some way. A prophet would call king and country back to their purpose and mission—to be healthy, to be an example, and to bless their neighbors near and far.

And so it is for Jesus, whose ministry began three years ago. He is the Gardener sent into the Father’s vineyard to help do what the fruit farm is supposed to do—bear fruit. He plants, waters, prunes, digs, and fertilizes. He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, forgiveness to the sinner, understanding to the simple, and humility to those who consider themselves wise. He baptizes the tree with water and the Holy Spirit. He fertilizes the soil with his own sweat and blood.

But the Word of God is severe. After three years of earthly ministry, there is still no fruit to be found on the branches of the lives of God’s people. The Law of the Lord has spoken; it’s now time to cut the tree down. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). The lack of good works is harmful to self and others. The transgressions not only pollute our lives but God’s garden. It brings dishonor to God and is a failure to do what we have been planted here to do. “Cut it down. For the wages of sin is death…”

“...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The tree has an advocate with the Gardener. The gardener stands in the fray. He is the voice of hope, faith, and reconciliation. “Leave it alone. Give it one more year. Let me dig around it and fertilize it with
manure.” One commentator reminds us, “Give thanks for the manure!” The Gardener is the God of second chances. Well, in this case second, third, and now fourth chances. He takes the fruitlessness upon his own shoulders. He owns the failure of the tree. He alone bears the burden of the tree’s sin. He will invest his own sweat equity into this barren tree. He will sow labor and time into this fig-less creature. He will fertilize the soil. He will give his very best—he will give himself. The Gardener has not lost his vision and promise for fruit. He still has faith in his tree to do what it is engineered to do—to produce sweet, filling, and nutritious figs. The Owner and the Gardener—the Father and the Son want the same thing: fruit.

Gardener Jesus will go to the tree again and again. He believes in the potential for its growth. He will continue to Baptize with water and the Holy Spirit. He will speak well of the tree and her potential. He will sow his own sweat into the soil. Gardener Jesus will enrich the soil by his strength and wisdom. We, the tree of the church, are very blessed indeed to have such a devoted Advocate in this Gardener. He is the one who puts himself between us and the threatening axe. He continues to nurture the soil so that we may drink in the sap of the living waters. So zealous is he for the fruit of this tree, the Gardener will go to the tree one final time this season. This time he will not offer his sweat, water, pruning shear, or fertilizer. This time he offers the tree his own Body and Blood. He will give himself as fruit for the nations. And he will bring the best out of us. He will ensure that we bear fruit by his wisdom and strength. He will bring delight and glory to the Father. And the world, which is starving for this gracious fruit, will be satisfied and enriched forever.

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.    
     (Rock of Ages, vv. 2,3 LSB 761)