Impossible Healings: The Barren Fig Tree
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 13:6-9 (NKJV)
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Luke 3:8-9 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John 1:1-3 (NKJV)
In the story of the Barren Fig Tree (also the Parable of the Talents), Jesus, the Word, the Creator of life, makes a bold demand on His followers:
He wants a return on His investment: specifically from the investment of Himself and His Spirit… in our lives.
We might call it “fruitfulness” or “profit”. Our all-knowing God… knows profit takes time, training, discipline, and maturity. So naturally…
He doesn’t expect profit from babies, as in children or recent conversions to the faith of Jesus as their Savior.
But from grown Christians, with years in ‘the fold,’ He wants to see how we’ve glorified Him: the spiritual fruit grown and given– to the people we’ve met along the way.
Please note: Jesus made our mission field clear. In all versions of The Great Commission, it’s the same field He, Himself, worked: the world!
‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved’ (John 3:16-17).
2nd note: He also spent time preaching in temples.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Do what Jesus did! Work in the world, but don’t neglect the church.
Open the windows of stale religion. Help the Son-Light and Breath of Life enter!
Impossible Healings: The Barren Fig Tree (Part 15)
* Gill's Exposition on the Bible, Luke 13 (see esp. v.7-8) http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/luke/13.htm
* 'Therefore I love Your Commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!' (Psalm 119:127). 'I have rejoiced in the way of Your Testimonies, as much as in all riches' (Psalm 119:14).
* The armor of God: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-18&version=NIV
* The Parable of the Talents: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=NKJV
* The Sermon on the Mount: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205-7&version=NKJV
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.