Luke 13:1–9 (NRSV)
Read Luke 13:1–9 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 13At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Verse 2He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Verse 3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Verse 4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them-do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? Verse 5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."
Verse 6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. Verse 7So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' Verse 8He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. Verse 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Devotion
The man in our parable asks, “What is the good in a fig tree if it doesn’t bear fruit?” Frustrated and out of ideas, he asks the gardener to cut it down. Responding with grace, the gardener asks for one more year in order to change the soil and provide more support for the tree’s growth.
At times, we may all feel like this man as we reflect on our lives, our vocations, or our relationships. We may be asking ourselves, “What good is happening here?” Thank goodness it isn’t just up to us! God responds with grace and love and asks for more time to tend the good soil and to provide more support along the way. The tough season we are in will not last forever; there is the promise of good here. God is tending us, and more support is on the way.
Prayer
God of grace, enfold us in your love. Point us in the direction of good soil; nurture our spirits, and tend to our hearts. In Christ, your Son, we pray. Amen.