The Parable of the Fig Tree
6/23/2018

   
Jesus delivered this message as He "sat on the Mount of Olives" near Jerusalem.  The disciples, as well as many in that day, were impressed with the beauty of the temple buildings while failing to understand what was going to happen to them.  Jesus said, "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down." (Mark 13:2). "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" (Luke 21:7).  Jesus then proceeded to give a number of signs that would precede the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem so they could flee the city and be saved (Matthew 24:4-31).  After informing them of the signs He told the parable of the fig tree.

 

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[a] is near—at the doors!  34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place".  

 

This is a warning for the disciples. Luke explains: "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near". (Luke 21:31).  - "and no one can know when that time is so we must always be ready for His appearing". (Hebrews 9:27)

In many places in the New Testament, the Lord tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a vineyard. The Lord is the owner of that vineyard, and the harvest is that time when each of us makes our journey from this world into the next, that is, the death of the natural body. We are all trees in the Lord's vineyard, and the warning should be as clear to us as the promise. The warning is that those trees in His vineyard that, having been given every opportunity and aid, have not produced any good fruit, will be cut down and cast into the fire. The promise is that those who do use what has been given them by the Lord, those who heed His warning, when the harvest-time comes, they will find themselves in the heavenly vineyard, producing flavorful and nourishing fruit to eternity.

 

·       Who among us is producing figs as he should?

 

·       Who among us stands ready today to be inspected by the owner of the vineyard?

 

·       Who among us has taken the truth revealed to us in the Word and used it to produce many useful, fruitful deeds for our neighbor, our country, and our church?

 

·       Who among us does not feel the need for a just little more time to prepare, to make ready to produce good fruits for the Master of the vineyard?

 

 

The Psalmist wrote,

 

Blessed is the man

 

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

 

Nor stands in the path of sinner,

 

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

 

And in His law he meditates day and night.

 

He shall be like a tree

 

Planted by the rivers of water,

 

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

 

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

 

And whatever he does shall prosper.

 

(Psalm 1:1-3)

 

  




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