The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Luke 13:6-9

Introduction

• When disaster falls, we tend to ask “Why?”– If it happens to an individual, we may wonder

what they did to deserve it– If it happens to a group, we wonder what the

group did to deserve it?

• Often we miss the real lesson all such disasters teach– This parable is precipitated by a disaster, but is

told to teach the real lesson of disasters

Setting

• Luke 13:1– Some reported that some Galilean Jews had

been killed by Pilate• They were killed in the Temple, since their blood

mingled with the sacrificial blood

– Perhaps expecting Jesus to speak out or act against Pilate

– Perhaps expecting an explanation of why those men died (e.g., they were evil men)

Setting

• Luke 13:2-3– Jesus’ responded• They were not any worse sinners than anyone

else

• The lesson is “Repent or you will all likewise perish”– Life is short, death can happen at anytime–Repent NOW, or you may not get another chance

Setting

• Luke 13:4-5– Jesus reinforces the point– Another recent calamity in Jerusalem• A tower collapsed and killed 18

• Those victims were no worse sinners than others in Jerusalem

• Yet they died quickly and without warning

– The lesson is “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”

The Parable

• Luke 13:6-9– A man has a fig tree in his vineyard• The fig tree has not born fruit for three years

• He tells the gardener to cut it down, it’s wasting space in the vineyard

– The gardener persuades the owner to let him try to fertilize it and see if it will produce the next year• If not, then he’ll cut it down

The meaning of the parable• From Lk 13:1-5 we know the meaning– “Repent or perish”

• The owner is God (as usual)– Each individual Christian (in His vineyard) is

like the fig tree– God expects us to be fruitful– He is not pleased by any periods of inactivity• Just wasting space in the kingdom

– If unfruitful, then eventually He will no longer consider us His children

–We must REPENT NOW

Lessons for today

• The true message in all disasters is that life is short– If we are going to repent, do it now– Consider the disasters we all know• 9/11/2001

• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

• Mining disasters

• Earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, etc

– Remember the lesson, REPENT NOW

Lessons for today• God expects a return on investment– Eph 1:3-12– God has granted us every spiritual blessing• He chose us in Christ

• He adopted us as sons

• He redeemed us

• He forgave us

• He made known His will to us

• He gave us an inheritance

– John 15:8• We need to bear MUCH fruit

Lessons for today

• The Lord is patient, but not forever– In the days of Noah, He waited 120 years while

Noah built and preached–With the people of Israel, God waited over 700

years before taking away the northern tribes• He waited over 100 more years before taking

Judah into captivity

– 2 Pet 3:3-15• Everyone and everything has a limited amount of

time left

Lessons for today• Those who are unfruitful will be cut off– John 15:1-9• To be in Christ, we must bear fruit

• In Christ we will bear MUCH fruit

• If we bear no fruit, then we are not really in Christ–Such will be cast out and burned up

• Heb 6:4-8– To reject God after being a Christian means»You are worthless and close to being cursed» The end will be to be burned up

• Unless you repent, you will perish

Conclusion

• Tragedies happen all the time– Don’t think those who suffer are necessarily any

worse sinners than we are– Rather learn the lesson• Life is short

• Now is best time to repent

• God may be longsuffering, but He will not wait forever

• Won’t you make your life right with Him now?