Jesus gave the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9
The fruit tree represents the Christian; we are planted in God’s vineyard, the family of God.
John 15:16
16
I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit.
The Owner possessed the tree, it was His; the land, field, and everything in them belong to Him.
This tree was not a sapling, it was a tree which held promise and a purpose to produce figs. When the owner checked the tree, he expected to find fruit, but this was a fruitless tree and He found none. The tree was planted to produce fruit but there was no fruit.
So, why should that tree remain standing? Why should it keep taking up space, using up the goodness of the soil if it was serving no purpose? What’s the point of having a tree that fails to produce? When a tree stops being productive it is cut down and the roots dug up and removed. The owner has a right to be disappointed and angry at such a useless tree.
Are we producing fruit or are we just soaking up all the nutrients of the soil where we have been planted? This wasn’t just a one-time occasion; He looked for fruit year after year for three years. After three years of finding no fruit, He said,
“cut it down!”
He asked a very solemn question,
“Why cumbereth (hinder) the ground?”
Why should this fruitless tree be a hindrance?
Everyone who is fruitless is a burden and a hindrance!
“A tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is good for nothing but to be cut down and thrown into the fire”.
The tree didn’t just have a bad year or a bad season; this tree was habitually not producing what it was designed to produce.
“Enough was enough!”
Don’t allow another year to pass without producing fruit!
“Lord, let it alone this year also”. “Can we give it one last try?” Please, one more year, let me work it like I’ve never worked it before. I’ll fertilize it, soften the ground, water it, prune it; I'll give it my all this year. If it doesn’t respond we will cut it down!"
We may be living today to see another year ONLY because of the intercession of Jesus Christ. He is ever interceding on our behalf. This may be our last year!
Proverbs 27:1
1
Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
We have no assurance of tomorrow!
It is said that when Queen Elizabeth was dying that she cried,
“All my possessions, for a moment of time”.
Time belongs to God! The years are His! Only His mercy holds back the axe of His judgment!
Could this be our last year? Give this tree just one more year and if it bears fruit, well! And if not, then after that, cut it down!
We have been given one more opportunity to bear fruit; one more year! We must look at the year 2020 as a grant of God’s grace!
"Leave it alone for one more year".
It's time to produce! Let's get busy because we are running out of time!
