“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 13:8-9]
"For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit..."
It
is not difficult to identify the fig tree as Israel, planted in God’s
vineyard, that is, the world. God looked for fruit on the tree but He
found none. So He said to the vinedresser (the Lord Jesus) that He had
sought in vain for fruit from the tree for three years.The simplest interpretation of this refers it to the first three years of our Lord’s public ministry. The thought of the passage is that the fig tree had been given sufficient time to produce fruit, if it was ever going to do so. If no fruit appeared in three years, then it was reasonable to conclude that none would ever appear.
Because of the fruitlessness, God ordered to cut it down. It was only occupying ground that could be used more productively. The vinedresser interceded for the fig tree, asking that it be given one more year. If at the end of that time, it was still fruitless, the He could cut it down. And that is what happened, it was after the fourth year had begun that Israel rejected and crucified the Lord Jesus. As a result, its capital was destroyed and the people scattered.
Man exists for the honor and pleasure of the Creator: when he does not serve this just end why should not the sentence of death follow his sinful failure, and he is removed from his place of privilege?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Gal 5:22-23.
Cut it down!
“For
three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and
haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” [Luke 13:7]
Olive Tree
