A CERTAIN MAN HAD A FIG TREE PLANTED IN HIS VINEYARD

Our parable gives a clear picture of the nation of Israel, the vine­yard of Isaiah chapter 5, with the fig tree, the remnant of Judah, occupying the land and receiving the careful attention of its Owner, as He sent to them His beloved Son.

But this parable must be seen in the context of the dialogue that precedes it. The Saviour was surrounded by a huge crowd and a lively exchange was taking place. He accused them of being weather wise, yet unaware that now was their day of opportunity. He also urged them to settle their debt out of court, rather than stand before the judge and hear the ‘guilty’ verdict. The news of the day concerned Galileans who met an untimely end at the hands of Pilate’s soldiers and Judeans who died when a tower fell on them. The crowd thought that untimely deaths indicated God’s judgement on deserving sinners. The Lord rebuked them, they were wrong! ‘I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish’. The message is clear. Repent or perish!

Then He told the parable. The owner of the vineyard planted a fig tree and came for three years seeking fruit. He gave the tree every opportunity to bear fruit, but none came! Now we hear the conversation take place which decides the fate of the fruit­less tree. The owner rightly demands immediate action, ‘Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?’, while the vineyard worker pleads for another year’s grace. He will disturb its roots and feed it; give it every opportunity to respond to his attention and bear fruit. At the end of the year, if still there was no fruit, then the tree would be cut down. What a picture of ‘the good­ness and severity of God’, Rom. 11. 22. The severity of God demands the judgement of the sinner who is unresponsive to the claims of the gospel. On the other hand, the goodness of God seeks to give the sinner further opportunity of responding to the overtures of His love and care. It is the ‘goodness of God’ that ‘leadeth … to repentance’. How serious is the case of those who despise ‘the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering’, Rom. 2. 4.