How Long

Luke 13:6-9  And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”


I hear Jesus saying, give me something, just something, you don't have to be the whole grove but give me something please. Fruit trees usually don't produce much fruit at first. Both the amount of fruit and the quality of fruit improve as time goes on. It is important that the tree gets good care, with fertilizing and watering and protection from attack by parasites and other pests. They also need pruning to allow the most productive areas to get the maximum nutrition from the roots.


Jesus will quench our thirst, protect us from the evil one, point out what needs to be pruned from our lives, and provide all the SON we need to bear fruit. I hear many people speak as though they are not ready to bear fruit; they need more time to develop as Christians. Jesus is patient beyond belief, at least he has been with me, but I have to think he is often saying, give me something, just something please. You must be mature enough by now to give me at least the first small deformed apple, give me something please. 


The image in this story and the story about Jesus as the vine with us as the branches provide haunting images of threes cut down and branches burned. I think Jesus is saying that he has provided all we need to grow and develop. Producing fruit is the sign of our really being part of Him, of knowing Him. Those who produce nothing are pretenders who really haven't known him at all. People often ask of God, "How long Lord?", but they don't see that God is asking the same question of us. God has been providing and providing and providing for us and he wants to know how long he should wait for something just something, please.