What is God really looking for in his children? He is looking for I evidence that the Gospel message is being fruitful in and through our lives. Christ had just spoken about repentance when he told this story. Some people had told him about the death of a number of persons through Pilate's actions. They must have inferred that the ones killed, must have been real sinners. But Christ took up that inference and said: 'No, they weren't particularly bad sinners. You can't say that they were any worse than anyone else'. Then he added 'You know don't you that unless you repent and turn to God, you will perish like everyone else who refuses to do so'. Then he told this story which illustrates what God is looking for - fruit in his children. Why did the owner give the fig tree room on his land? The answer is because he expected it to produce figs. He had a right to expect figs but what did he find? Only leaves! The fig tree was well known by the Israelites as a symbol of themselves as a nation. Israel had been given a prominent place in God's vineyard but the results had been sadly disappointing, year after year, generation after generation. God had shown great patience but sooner or later the axe of judgment would fall unless they repented. See the end of the chapter. Isn't that true for everyone - Jew or non Jew? |
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