Advent Lutheran Church

"Enjoying Different 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.’”

Enjoying Different Fruit

This week I’ve been wondering, why are these two passages together?  After many glances, they seem to be about two different things.  But today, I as I read them, I’m seeing the connection.  Jesus’ point in the first part is that we’re all in this together.  

The second passage now clicks for me.  If we’re all in this together then that truly means all of us, even those who aren’t like me – the fig in the vineyard.  From the gardener’s perspective, the fig is still valuable even though it’s not a grape vine; it’s in the wrong place. The fig is worth tending, nurturing, because its fruit is just as valuable.   

It’s so easy to divide into a mentality of us vs. them or “I’ve got mine…” but Jesus’ whole ministry is about bringing us all together; which culminates in the ultimate saving act of the cross and resurrection.  No longer can we separate ourselves from others.  Now it’s all for one because of one for all.  We see this best when there is a tragedy like Haiti, when the whole world pours out sympathy and support in the many forms of aid.  

But there is more to this concept than disaster relief.  It’s buying fair trade products.  It’s advocating for others to enjoy the same privileges of health care, education, housing, or employment that we take for granted.  It’s asking not, “what do I need?” but, “what do you need?”  It’s taking care of those who aren’t like us.  It’s nurturing the fig tree in our vineyard.  The great thing is, when we care for those who are different, our world is opened; expanding our experiences and growing our faith.  Not only are we being the gardener, acting as Jesus would have us but we get to enjoy something new and different – figs instead of always grapes.