Neville Turley

“The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.”  Luke 3:9 (GNT)

Every time we hear of a fatal tragedy, we are painfully aware that all of us, are just one heartbeat away from death. Jesus reminded his listeners of 18 people who had perished when a tower collapsed in Siloam. Then to stress the urgency of turning away from sin and repenting while they still could, Jesus told them about the unfruitful fig tree.

The parable features a man, his gardener and the tree itself.  The man represents God and the gardener, Jesus. The tree represents both the Jewish nation and all individuals, including you and me.

The man had waited in vain for 3 years for the fig tree to bear fruit.  His patience had worn thin. He orders the gardener to cut it down.  But the gardener pleads for more time to tend to the tree. “Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.” (Luke 13:9)

The Jewish nation were God’s chosen people.  He revealed his glory to them and made his covenants with them.  He gave the Law and sent them his prophets, still they did not live in accordance with God’s will. So he sent his son, Jesus.

It was the final chance for all humankind to turn to God through Jesus. To accept Jesus was to accept God. To reject Jesus was to reject God.

There are two matters we need to address.  We need to be sure we are right with God.  Then we must ask ourselves, what use are we to God?  How fruitful are we in his service?

There are many ways we can share the good news of God in Jesus Christ.  Some of us do so through the Bible Society’s Bible-a-Month Club. That way we help make Bibles available, knowing that his word never returns void, but will do everything he sends it to do. (Isaiah 55:11)

It’s a wonderful way to bear fruit for Jesus.

Prayer: Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit show us how best to bring praise and glory to your holy name.  Amen