ESOCS Devotional 29 January 2024 – Be Fruitful
MEMORY VERSE: “He spoke also this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.” Luke 13:6 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 13:1-17
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 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?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
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The parable Jesus told in our text is known as the parable of the unfruitful tree. Putting this in context, it relates to Israel – God’s people. The axe was laid at the root of national Israel (Matthew 3:10). The nation was soon to be cut down.
The meaning of this parable is that Israel (the fig tree) was planted years ago before the coming of Jesus who came to receive its fruit. But Israel was unfruitful as many of them strayed from God to follow their own traditional religion (Mark 7: 1-9). But Jesus the vinedresser pleaded with God on behalf of Israel (vs 8-9). But Israel would not repent, so the ‘tree’ (Israel) would be cut down. This is talking to all believers today.
The lesson from this parable is that God expects fruit from us. In the Old Testament, a fruitful tree was often used as a symbol of godly living (Psalm 1:3). It is an indication of an obedient heart. Again, if there is no fruit, there is no active faith, and no one can be saved.
Furthermore, Jesus pointed out what would happen to the other kind of tree – the kind that took time and space and still produced nothing for the patient gardener. It would be cut down. The parable was one way Jesus warned His listeners (believers) that God would not tolerate forever their lack of productivity.
If any believer has been enjoying God’s special treatment without giving anything in return, he/she should begin to respond to the Gardener’s patient care, and begin to bear the fruit God created him/her to produce.
- Sometimes, some Christians find it difficult to know the fruits they are bearing.
- Father, help me to realize the potential in me and become fruitful for you.
Further Reading: Jeremiah 17:7, 8; Matthew 3:1-10; James 2:14-16
ESOCS Devotional 29 January 2024
