More Manure

There is a parable of Jesus in Luke 13 not found in the other Gospels. It has meaning in context, it has original significance that made it a great analogy for Jesus’ purpose, and it has who even knows how many applications.

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6–9 ESV)

In context, Jesus is talking to the Jews about their lack of fruit. Whether or not Jesus told this parable immediately after calling people who were missing the point to repent (in verses 1-5), Luke put this parable next on purpose. The story illustrates an expectation for fruit, but also a picture of patience with a commitment to extra care on the part of the vinedresser before making a final decision.

The point of the parable depends on the actual practice of agriculture. The owner of the vineyard had reasonable expectations to see fruit. Three years was more than enough time. And hadn’t the vinedresser been showing some amount of care? The owner didn’t have any negative words about the vinedresser’s incompetence.

Would it have been wrong to cut the tree down that day? No.

Also, was cutting down the tree the only correct option? No.

Note what we have:

1. Agreement of the problem. There should have been fruit.
2. Attention to do something different about the problem. Give it The Treatment: Dig and Dung.
3. Accountability for follow-up at a certain time. Has the attention fixed the problem?

Again, Jesus meant this in the context of the Jewish vineyard’s fruitlessness. But the application goes beyond that.

By now, should there be fruit in your years of exercise and diet? Business? Parenting? Discipleship? Bible reading? There should be if you’ve been at it for a while. Is the lack of results right now a reason to cut it down? Or can you commit to extra care, to a little more time?

Does your problem need more manure? Are you the problem that needs more manure?