April 4, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Luke 13:6  He 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. 7  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? 8  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

The bible is like a grand puzzle, it has truths running all through it, one piece here and one piece there. The pieces do not often make sense until they are placed in the right spot then the whole picture is revealed with all its magnificence. The person who delights in finding the pieces and putting them together is the one who rejoices when each piece is found fitting.

When you read the bible you often wonder what each piece means until you find its mate. When you place them together you have a bit of the truth. When the whole is placed together you have a the grand and glorious truth.

Today we have one of those pieces. We have the parable of the fig tree. What does this parable tell us? Where are the other pieces?

A parable is an earthly example of a heavenly principle or truth.

At first reading you wonder what is the Lord doing? Remember, he is talking about end times with His disciples.

For three years they sought fruit on the fig tree and found none. It was recommend that the fig tree be cut down.

Jesus’ ministry was three and one half years with the Jews preaching and teaching the kingdom of heaven. He found no fruit with them because they rejected Him.

Luke 13:6  He 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. 7  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?

The Lord God planted Israel in the land of promise and land flowing with milk and honey. They became fat and prosperous and in their prosperity refused the Lord. When He came to redeem them they refused Him.

John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

They refused the Lord Jesus and eventually will chose another in His place, that person would be the antichrist of revelation. Thus the parable of the fig tree where Jesus finds no fruit.

Luke gives us some more information when the Lord states that it should be left alone for now but rather he would bless Israel and feed her and then if there is no fruit cut her down.  Luke 13:8  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Eventually the Lord will act on the fig tree. Matthew gives us some more of the puzzle pieces as we look into the fig tree.

Matthew 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (I recommend you read Matthew 24 in its entirety to get the whole picture.)

For now the Lord does not cut down the fig tree but waits and watches the fig tree; he lets everything play out and then, one day, He will act.

Matthew 12:20  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

2Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Israel and the world is in a tailspin and time is drawing near for the fig tree.

Would the Lord find fruit in you? Would you be the one who would be saved?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook