Advent Lutheran Church

"Bear Your Own Fruit"

“There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus?  I tell you, No: but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem?    I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish”.

And he told this parable:  “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none.  Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure.  And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Bear Your Own Fruit
Jesus tells the story of a man who “had a fig tree planted in a vineyard.”  How strange. How out of place the tree must have felt among the grape arbors that bore many grapes for sweet wine.  The tree is an anomaly—doesn’t fit in—it’s misplaced.  With such grand competition around, the fig tree just stands, does nothing for three years.  The owner comes to harvest the tree’s fruit. Seeing none on the tree, the owner tells the Gardener to cut down the barren tree.  The owner appears to be man of economy. But the Gardener intervenes—vows to nurture the tree back to healthy growth. The Gardener tells the owner that he will fertilize the fig tree; he believes that his with care, strong roots will once again grow.

Often, I am that fig tree. I stand in other created vineyards knowing that I, too, am an anomaly. When I compare myself to others around me, I feel that I can never do what they do.  So I just stand alone and wait.  I forget that God doesn’t expect me to be like others—to bear grapes instead of figs—but God wants me to bear my own fruit—my own way.  And God has sent Jesus as the Gardener to help me bear His fruit wherever I am.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, thank you for the image of the fig tree.  Speak to my heart so I will know God’s work for me and that I may always feel His presence near.