A FIG TREE planted in a vineyard (Luke 13:6,7) — in the spot of all others most choice, most constantly under the owner’s eye. How often had the owner of that fig tree observed its growth! how often had he looked among its branches for fruit! For three long years he had looked for, yes, “had come, seeking fruit,” but in vain. Israel is “the vineyard of the Lord” (Isa. 5:1-7), and the favored tree in the favored vineyard, we cannot doubt, is the city of the Lord’s most special care, Jerusalem. “When the time of the fruit drew near,” the lord of the vineyard sent his son that he might receive the fruits of it (Matt. 21:33-39), and he looked to the dresser of his vineyard for fruit from his favored tree. The wall of the vineyard is now broken down, and it is laid waste, and neither “pruned nor digged,” while the clouds “rain no rain upon it.” It is the time of the “casting away of” Israel (Rom. 11:15-22). Long, long since the solemn word, “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?” has gone forth against Jerusalem, and the favored city has been overturned. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God;” it is a fearful thing to be cared for, nourished, warned by Him, and still to be profitless and unfruitful, yes, to be “nigh unto cursing.”
Like the favored tree in the favored vineyard is the child of Christian parents in a Christian land. How many such trees are there in happy English homes! The heavenly husbandman looks to them for fruit: “Herein is My Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” Of His grace are all the advantages of the Christian home, to Him must an account be rendered for all the advantages. To be the special object of the husbandman’s interest, to be placed in the choicest spot in his vineyard, in no way saved the fig tree from the ax, neither will the fact of being brought up where Christ’s name is revered, and where the Bible is honored, excuse any one from bearing fruit.
Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin were cities wherein most of the Lord’s mighty works were done. Many a miracle was wrought in Capernaum, many a word of life fell from Jesus’ lips in its streets. As the people saw the sick rise up healed from their beds, they beheld the Saviour sent from God amongst them; it was their hour to seek and to find mercy at His hands, but “they repented not.” (Matt. 11:20.) Hence their mercies became their greatest woe — “It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you.” (vs. 22.) Alas! how shall they fare who repent not, though they hear more wonderful things than did the citizens of Capernaum, for in this Christian country it is well known that Jesus not only lived and blessed men, healing their bodies and comforting their hearts, but that He died upon the cross for the chief of sinners, and that now, having risen from the dead, He lives in heaven to bless and to save.
To whom much is given, of him much is required, which great principle in the ways of God none dare overlook. Yet when the owner of the vineyard came and found no fruit upon the fig-tree, mercy was mingled with judgment. The tree was not at once cut down, rather it became the object of rewed care on the part of the dresser of the vineyard. “Lord,” said he, “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.” And so it is with the reader of this page who has so often refused God’s word of grace. Kindness has been heaped on kindness, love showered on love. The pitiful word is heard, “Let it alone this year also.” One more opportunity, though no more are deserved. Judgment lingers, and mercy still stretches forth her hand.
Out of the many who read this page, these words will be last words to some! “This year also” will be the last year; the present, the last opportunity for repentance unto salvation not to be repented of. Our eternal destiny depends upon the present reception or rejection of Christ. “They repented not!” they preferred their own course, their own self-contentment. To such, the sad, sad end, “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?” must come. Far better to be born a heathen, and never to hear of Jesus, than to be a professing Christian in a Christian home, and to perish rejecting Him. “It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.” The wise man, the religious professor, may look upon the ignorance and the cruel customs of the heathen with scorn, but it is written to such, “Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” (Rom. 2:4, 5.)
Let us not forget that the hour is near when this day of salvation must close. Even as it was with Jerusalem and the cities where the Lord’s mighty works were done, so will it be with Christendom and our own land — the opportunities for mercy will end. “The same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:29, 30.) Let none presume on the mercies which surround him, but may the high privileges of a Christian’s home and surroundings lead the favored heart at once to Christ.