Thursday, January 21, 2016

THE SCRAWNY FIG TREE

In Luke 13:6-9, we read: “He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then said he to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said unto him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”



“He’ll never amount to anything. Look at his history,” the sheriff said.

“I hear you but I don’t believe you. I’m not giving up,” she said, turned and walked away.The mother would never believe her son was no good. She had heard the Teacher. She heard Him tell the parable of the fig tree.

When the owner of the vineyard had given up and demanded the tree be cut down, the keeper of the vineyard had asked for more time. He would work around the tree, fertilizer it, care for it. Like so she would do the same for her son. Was he not worth more than many fig trees? She had dedicated her son to the Lord when he was young. Was she not the keeper?

Most of her work was done on her knees, asking the Lord for wisdom, asking Him for guidance. She prayed. She wept. She believed her Lord could do anything.

When she asked her friend for prayer support, the friend had asked, “And what if He doesn’t answer your prayer?”

“He will. But...if he doesn’t answer as I ask, then I know with confidence that He knows best. I’ll always believe in Him.

We are not told the end of the story. But I believe that our Lord Jesus knows when I need to get down to business, get down on my knees. It’s not enough to talk to the Owner of the Vineyard. We have to show Him we care. (He really knows all about me. What I am capable of but He wants me to see what can be done when I allow Him to use me as His instrument).

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus has promised never to leave us nor forsake us...even when we are the most scrawny tree in the vineyard. He loves us with an everlasting love. His love is the most powerful ingredient used in the vineyard. He wants you to know that love. He waits for you.