Carina Francke

 "So he said to the man that took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 'Sir' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.(Luke 13:7-9)

We are currently discussing how we as believers can make God's kingdom visible on earth. Jesus' parables and His way around people become our source of information.

 The parable of the fig tree makes it clear that the owner expects fruit from the vines and the fig tree even though the latter stands out as 'different, strange, queer' amongst the vines. Because the fig tree was exposed to the same favorable circumstances as the vines, there is no reason whatsoever for it not to bear fruit. If you are a citizen of His kingdom, He expects fruit from you, because He "chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." (John 15:16)

Even though the owner had every right to cut down the tree, the vine tender pleaded with him to give it another chance. He undertook to take special care of the fig tree in the hope that it will bear fruit, because if it did not bear fruit, it would be cut down. Not only was it unfruitful, but it also used up the soil.

If this is your life, I have good news for you: as the owner of the vineyard made provision for grace by visiting for the third time God creates opportunities for more grace in my and your life.

The Vine Dresser, Jesus Christ, knows God's grace and asks for another chance to turn you into a fruit bearer. He undertakes to dig up the hardness in your life Himself and to provide you with the necessities to enhance the growth of your fruit.

Why so much emphasis on bearing fruit?

You are known by the fruit you bear (Mat 7:16). Good fruit bears witness of a holy, growing and committed life to Jesus Christ. For example: the things stored up in your heart, is made visible by the words that comes from your mouth and it reveals the kind of fruit you bear (Luke 6:44,45). Are your words of such a nature that His kingdom becomes visible to bystanders?

Prayer: Father, thank you that you seek out opportunities to show grace, and Jesus, thank you that You work incessantly in me to make me bear fruit.  Open my eyes and ears for anything that prevents Your fruit from being seen in my life.  Amen