Parable of the Barren Tree
whenever we talk about the 'barren tree' the first thought that came to our mind will be the one where Jesus walked passed the fig tree and find it fruitless, cursed it and it withered but actually the parable of the barren tree is not refer to that wor
Luke 13:6-9 (NLT)
6
Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.
9
If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”
Even when it has happened time and again, but yet until we have done something to it, given 'special attention' and still it did not bear fruit. if not, we should never just give up so easily just like how God would always give us a 2nd chance, there will always be a turning point in the situation.
this also links to the message pastor shared over the weekends about P.U.S.H-ing. Having a Spiritual Adoption over the situation or over the souls, Praying Until Something Happened, instead of just trying and giving up easily. Therefore, [UNTIL] you did something about it, don't ever give it up!
at the same time in another version,
Luke 13:6-9 (NKJV)
6 H
e also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that[a] you can cut it down.’”
it is liken that the Lord has came and found that some of the believers have not been fruitful or not at the level of fruitfulness the Lord is expecting, hence feeling disappointed. but here the Holy Spirit was saying that "let it alone this year also", implying that for the 3 years, it has been left alone. Left alone not because God does not care but it is left alone to grow and in a sense 'self motivate'. and this time round, it will still be left alone for another year and the Holy Spirit is going to come and dig around it.
the digging around will definitely not be a very comfortable process. some 'roots' and some wrong values will be broken and some 'root problem' will also be exposed or challenged, causing very much discomfort. but yet through this process the Holy Spirit will also be there to help 'fertilize'.
this will be a time where the strong will become stronger while those who cannot withstand the molding will fall away, revealing the strength of the tree. maybe some of you might have felt that for the past '3 years' you have not been fruitful and somehow you are being 'left alone' to grow and somehow things are not breaking through in a sense. but this year is going to be a year of breakthrough. in this molding process, every failure will either become your stumbling block or your stepping stone; you either become bitter or better.
So no matter what the situation you are in, don't ever stop trying [UNTIL] something happens k. P.U.S.H~
