Luke 13:6-96He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:6‑9)
“A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and lie came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none; cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down/’ — Luke 13:6-96He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:6‑9).
There were some present at that time who told our Lord of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. By our Lord’s reply, it appears evident that those who related this, judged the sufferers to have been great sinners, or God would not have allowed such a dreadful thing. This, alas! is a conclusion men are always too ready to draw when any calamity happens: they think what sinners such must have been, rather than take warning to themselves.
Our Lord asked if they supposed these Galileans were” sinners above all” others, because they had suffered such things? or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell? He said,” Nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” They should look to themselves: they were equally guilty. He knew how they despised the Galileans (see John 4:41, 5241And many more believed because of his own word; (John 4:41)
52Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. (John 4:52)), and prided themselves on their fancied superiority: they should also perish, unless they repented. Yea, more, He would give them a true description of themselves, and in a parable tell them their end.
They were compared to a fig-tree, from which fruit had been sought — sought, not once only, but for three years, answering, doubtless, to their probation under the law, under the prophets, and then under grace. Under the law the Master found no fruit — they broke it entirely; under the prophets, they heeded them not — He found none; and under grace He found none — they went about to kill our Lord. The Master ordered the fig tree to be cut down.
Still grace lingered: the “dresser” hewed it might have one more trial — a fourth year, as we may say; and we know our Lord prayed for His murderers that their sin might not be laid to their charge; and in sending forth His apostles to preach” repentance and remission of sins,” they were to begin at Jerusalem.
Alas! it was all in vain. Our Lord had wept over Jerusalem. He would often have gathered them under His wing, but they would not. Still they had one more trial. Remission of sins was preached to them, and the Holy Ghost was sent down, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:8-118And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:8‑11).) Still there was no fruit, and Stephen had to charge home their sin upon them, reminding them of the three former trials their nation had had:” Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-5351Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (Acts 7:51‑53).)
The Master’s sentence hung over the guilty people: “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?” Why occupy the ground, if useless? Why be there to hinder others? This was the very thing charged home upon their rulers — they would not enter the kingdom themselves, and hindered those desirous of doing so. Yea, more: the apostle declared that the name of God was blasphemed among the Gentiles through them. (Rom. 2:2424For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (Romans 2:24).) The judgment, though long delayed, fell at last upon that guilty city, and more guilty people, once the fig-tree in the vineyard of God.
The same principle applies to the professing church as a whole, and to each one in particular. Where much is given, much will be required. The servant which knows his Lord’s will, and does not prepare himself, nor doeth His will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (Luke 12:47-4847And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47‑48).) Can we not almost hear our Lord saying, “why cumbereth it the ground?” The time hastens on when” Judgment shall begin at the house of God.” Let each that bears the name of Christ look around, and seek to get God’s judgment as to the whole professing church, and then ask himself, What fruit am I yielding to my Lord? He has done much for me. Oh, His love, His death, for me! — His long-suffering, His patience, His care over me! How do I requite it all? What fruit do I bear that is pleasing in His eyes? We are exhorted to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col. 1:1010That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10).) May it be so, and to Him be all the glory!
Part II
The Setting Up of the Kingdom, and Satan’s Opposition to It