Leafy and Fruity?

In Luke 13:9 Jesus shares the parable of the fig tree. It goes something like this. A man planted a fig tree in his garden and was disappointed that the tree refused to produce fruit, year after year. Finally, after three years, the man decided to have his gardener remove the tree. The gardener protested and asked that the tree be left alone and he promised to give it special care and fertilizer, telling his boss that if the tree doesn’t produce next year after the special effort, he will not stand in the way of cutting it down.

God uses farming references all through the bible. I like that because it is simple enough for even I, to understand. I have read several commentaries regarding this parable and how it is supposed to be a reference to Israel and how God gave Israel an extension of time before God gave up on them.

I look at this parable from the standpoint of my life. For years, God looked at my life and observed that I was going about my human business, working hard, not robbing any liquor stores or beating anyone up, I paid my taxes and was kind to some old ladies and all that good stuff. But I had existed for forty seven years, had a good and leafy appearance that would make any fig tree proud but to that point I failed to produce any thing of value for the kingdom of God.

Twelve years later, my life does produce Godly fruit as I follow His word. In my forty seventh year I responded to the extra care and spiritual food that God allowed me and I am grateful that He didn’t give up on me. The world that we live in only requires that we have a “leafy” persona, the fruit is not really required and is quite rare.