The Grace of another Chance

"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"Luke 13:9 NIV

Fig trees can be useful in many things. They are widely grown for their fruits and as ornamental trees. The leaves, stems and fruits can be used for their medicinal properties. In Genesis the leaves were useful to Adam and Eve in covering their nakedness.  In the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6-9), the owner planted a fig tree for its fruit. He did not just plant the tree in his vineyard to provide a good shade from its luxuriant leaves. He wanted to harvest some beautiful figs in addition to the grapes he already had. Fig trees take up a large space, and the man was clearly disappointed when after three years he had been checking for fruits and none was forthcoming. He now wanted to cut it down because his patience had run out. Maybe he regretted all the resources he had wasted on this tree. However the minder of the vineyard requested that the tree be given another chance. He wanted to give even more intensive treatment to try to coax fruit out of the tree. We can say this fig tree was fortunate because when Jesus looked for fruit in another luxuriant looking fig tree and found none, he cursed the tree which dried up immediately(Mark 11:12- 25).

God has a right to dictate what kind of fruitfulness he expects from us because we belong to him. He wants each one of us to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Every single day we live by grace and it is time we repented and sought the Lord. But the time is running out, “Even now the axe of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10). What will he find in you? Meditate on God’s word, seek his face, and you will establish your fruitfulness in His Kingdom.

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"One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed". Bernard Baruch

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