"Fig"-ure Of Speech.

"Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year..." (Luke 13:8)

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Richie made some insightful comments about the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13. Here are a few thoughts for us to reflect upon today:

• Why would a fig tree be planted in a vineyard?

Pastor Richie shared that the vineyard, with its propensity for round-the-clock supervision and care, would be the ideal place for the fig tree to be planted, cared for, and observed.

• There is a difference between growth and productivity.

The fig tree, in its specially chosen location, had an abundance of leaves, but no fruit. We learn in Luke 13:7 that the tree was taking up space and using up soil, but giving nothing in return.

• Not uprooted, but cut down.

The tree, if it did not produce fruit, was to be cut down. Pastor Richie noted that there is a difference between being cut down, in which there is an evidence of the tree having once existed, versus being uprooted where there is no trace of the tree having once flourished there. As he shared on Sunday, sometimes we are mistakenly believing that we are displaying a trunk, branches, and leaves, while those around us recognize that there is nothing left but a stump.

Where are you today? Are you bearing fruit that is useful to the kingdom of God? Or are you displaying lush leaves with no fruit to be found anywhere? Or have you been outside of God's will for so long that He has already cut you down, but you don't even realize it?

Lord, help us to obey You, to produce lasting fruit, to benefit Your kingdom.