Repentance and Fruit

Sometimes, Jesus taught us some hard truths. In this passage, he reflects on a couple of current disasters, spinning some theological truth into them and correcting some false assumptions. Then he applies a parable that fits the situation – about repentance and fruit!

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; 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 offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 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 on it and 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.’ ” Luke 13:1–9 (ESV)

This is an interesting portion of scripture – it takes a little reflection to begin to find the deep meanings here.

Disaster for a Reason?

Many things in life happen without apparent reason. Two current events Jesus commented on were the Galileans who suffered and those that had the tower fell on them. While he doesn’t issue an outright denial that sin was the cause of these disasters, he states that they weren’t singled out for such punishment. Really, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We cannot always assign some higher purpose to the ‘accidents’ of life. Bad things happen all the time. Often, good people suffer because of bad people. Sometimes, we experience disasters that effect good people and bad people. However, these accidents may act as a warning to us – as Jesus implies!

But then Jesus also tells his audience to repent! Don’t just wander through life. Turn and follow Jesus. Stop being unfruitful and bear fruit.

Now a Story – about Fruit!

The parable that Jesus follows his up his comments here is hard hitting!

It is a simple parable. There was no fruit on the fig tree. The owner wanted to cut it down because it was unfruitful. It was using up the soil, drawing water and nutrients. And since it was producing no fruit, it was wasteful and useless.

The gardener intercedes for the fruit tree. He tells the owner he will cultivate the soil and add fertilizer. He asks for one more year and then if it is still unfruitful he will cut it down.

This parable is about us!

Are we fruitful? The whole purpose of the tree was to bear fruit. Our purpose in the Kingdom of God is to bear fruit. Are we reproducing? Are we making disciples?

We might assume that there appears to be an acceptable time of unproductivity, though this could be a dangerous assumption. It would be very easy for us to use this to justify an unfruitful life.

But, when it is time for fruit, our Master expects fruit! If we are not fruitful, is there someone to intercede for us?

We can make excuses but in reality, we are given every advantage. There is abundant supplies of personal attention, given by the Holy Spirit and in the Church. There is no scarcity of spiritual food.

We must produce – or die! While this is a stern warning, it is not unreasonable. The natural function of a fig tree is to produce figs (which produce other fig trees). So, also, the natural function of the follower of Jesus is to produce other followers.

Do you need help with this?

Here is where you can start:

Pray

Read your Bible

Follow Jesus obediently

Let your light shine

Then, you will produce fruit! And there is more help on our Facebook hpage!