Good Fruit in Bad Surroundings
Our heart beats only a prescribed number of times, and none of us know the number of beats until it has moved its last. Whether we be noble or vile, our lives will come to an end. The people in today’s reading assumed that those who faced an unexpected death must have deserved it in some way. They saw disaster as the natural consequence of sin. We see this in John 9:1-2 where we read, “As (Jesus) passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’” So often, we get it wrong simply because we don’t know the truth.
Our lives don’t always follow a direct cause and effect flow. Sometimes we reap what we sow, but many times we struggle because of the whim of another, or the base consequences of a fallen world consumed by sin. To dismiss disaster as merely punishment for wrongdoing condemns the innocent as well as the guilty. In response to this, some go in the opposite direction. They blame God as being evil or heartless for what they see as a senseless pain or destruction. I am sure you have heard people ask why a good God would allow bad things to happen. Perhaps you have even asked this question yourself. If you have, you are not alone, nor does God condemn you for your struggles of faith or lack of understanding. However, the message of Christ seen in today’s reading reminds us that everyone sins, and everyone dies. What truly matters is what we do before our death with the sin in our hearts.
There is an important aspect of Jesus’ statement of “I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (verses 13:3 and 13:5). Because we are reading this verse in English, we miss the full meaning of Christ’s warning. In Greek, the grammar Jesus used provides us with two meanings of the word repent. While verse 5 reveals a “once and for all” type of repentance, verse 3 implies an ongoing action of continual repentance (Guzik, 2022). Jesus is telling us we need more than the initial act of salvation. We need to examine our lives and act against any sin we find there, continually, and habitually.
The parable of the barren fig tree provides us with a chilling visual of the truth of the devastation of a sinful lifestyle. Notice that the tree was planted in the vineyard. That is salvation. The tree was removed from wherever it previously grew and placed in the good soil of the master’s vineyard. However, despite all the care the master had given it, the tree refused to produce fruit. You and I can be saved. We can be planted into God’s garden, yet our lives continue to be void of the fruit of the faith we proclaim. Many say they are Christians, and in fact they had a conversion moment; however, their lives look no different than any other sinful existence. If this is the case, are they truly saved? Have they truly accepted the cleansing work of the cross? Jesus declared, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-19).
While we will be judged by the fruit of our lives, God doesn’t leave us to our devises to figure out how to produce good. Notice the care the gardener gives to the barren tree in Jesus’ parable. Christ (the vinedresser) intercedes on our behalf to the Father (the owner of the vineyard). Then, he commits to pouring what we need into our lives. But, what does the tree require according to the vinedresser? Manure. Sometimes we feel like we are surrounded by… unpleasant things and circumstances. When we find ourselves in such perils, let us rejoice and realize God is doing something for us. He is adding nutrients to our lives so we will produce good fruit. As James 1:2-4 so famously declares, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Let us not leave our repentance at the foot of the cross as a one-time event. Instead, let us continually examine our lives and the evidence of our faith and salvation shown through our choices and actions. Let us continually repent of any
sin we find there. That is how we ensure our lives consistently bear good fruit. You see, bad things happen to both the righteous and the evil. The fruit comes when we allow God to use that “bad” to add spiritual nutrients to our lives. None of us want to be surrounded by manure, but the trees that bear the juiciest fruit often are.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
References:
English Standard Version Bible. (2003). Crossway.
Guzik, D. (6/2022). Study Guide for Luke 13 by David Guzik. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/luke/luke-13.cfm
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