Lk 13:6-9
Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’
Blog Discussion Question: Will it bear fruit?
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4 comments:
anything that is nourished properly will bear fruit. People, plants, animals all will bear fruit.
Looking at the choice of pronoun used in the last five words of the parable, it does not seem that the (G)ardener was planning on destroying an unfruitful tree. With His care it would bear fruit. He didn't say, "I will cut it down", he said YOU can cut it down. We often find it easier to "cut down" rather than nurture. The fig tree in the beginning of the parable was apparently without fruit at the time, but Gardener saw the life in it and said,"I am not finished with you yet".
As I am pondering over the main theme of all of the parables we've discussed, it is amazing how much it seems that I have grown--these parables will never be the same!!! yeah!!!! "Searching" and rjq, you certainly brought out interesting insights! I guess, in "searching's" thoughts, the difficult word is "properly". Sometimes we think we are nurturing properly and doing our best...praying for God's wisdom, and the "fruit" gets blighted. But that is where HOPE is so important...and with God, all things are possible! The gardener DOES NOT cut down the fig tree!
May our study of these parables at least make a difference in our lives and our family's lives--and PEACE will seem closer to everybody! "I'd Like to Teach the World To Sing In Perfect Harmony"...remember that song?
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
Sounds like the answer to my discussion question.
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