Punishment

Linda Rock
Sep 17
4 min read

A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 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? Luke 13: 6b - 7.

Our meditations thus far, have brought us to face some very personally striking facts, when we each see ourselves as that fig tree. We bowed at the privilege given to the fig tree, in being planted in a vineyard. This is each of us who has been given privilege to be planted in God’s vineyard. Carefully noted, was the distinct purpose for its presence in the vineyard. We too agreed that God’s purpose for planting us in His place, was to bear fruit unto Him. With holy fear and trepidation, we opened our spiritual eyes to the problem, which the owner of the vineyard was dealing with, as we noted the same for many of us.

The patience and love of the owner was not missed, as we saw how forbearing he was, giving time for changes to take place with the fig tree, changes in its fruit bearing. O how we too must give all praise and thanks to our patient, longsuffering God. Look at the living picture of who our God is, as painted in Isaiah 48: 9. For My name’s sake I will defer My anger, and for My praise I will restrain it from you, so that I do not cut you off. Is this what we see happening in our barren lives? God does not just get angry with us and cut us off, without giving us opportunity to change, to turn and to be different.

However, enough is enough! When, after repeated chances we, like the fig tree, remain totally alien and apart from God’s will for us, God will not hold back His punishment any longer. Don’t ever be deceived about your existence in our Lord’s vineyard. You and I are there to bear fruit. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15: 8. To bear fruit is God’s command. It is precisely because there is no change, there is no fruit being borne by the fig tree in the owner’s vineyard, the time has come for it to be cut down.

Listen again to what the owner tells his vineyard keeper. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? Here are some concerning, even worrisome facts about the fig tree. Perhaps you may well identify with some, if not all of them.

It is not a diseased fig tree - It is a perfectly healthy tree.
It is not a useless fig tree – It is performing many other helpful roles.
It is not a difficult fig tree – It is easy to deal with, as it does not demand the care as perhaps some types of grape trees must have.
It is not an old, bending and ready to dry up tree – It is strong and vibrant in foliage.

The owner knows all of this, for he can see it all. Nevertheless, his reason for having the fig tree planted there, is to have figs from it and this is not happening. Why must he suffer a barren fig tree in his vineyard that is only using up the soil? He is about progress and produce. He calls the keeper of the vineyard and tells him to cut down the fig tree, giving his reason for his order. Let’s spend a moment or two on the order, and the reason for the order.

Will you keep pouring water into a bucket that has the tiniest of holes? Will you keep filling a tyre with air, when it has an obvious leak? Will you keep a worker in your business who is strong, energetic, punctual, friend of all, most amiable, but who refuses to do the work you have hired him or her to do? The reason given by the owner, for the fig tree to be cut down, in the very place it was planted, is singular in nature. It is the repeated lack of fruit bearing. Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. There is only one punishment, one course of action the owner demands. Cut it down.

When you hear the words, cut down, you hear finality. You hear, no more chances. You hear death – that is that! Here are some familiar words spoken by Jesus and about Jesus. We know them well, but do they cause any difference in fruit bearing in us? Jesus has said this. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7: 19. Jesus is all about cutting down unfruitful trees, which occupy ground, but bear no good fruit. This is what John the Baptist told the people about preparing the way for Jesus. And even now the axe is laid to the root of the tree. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Luke 3: 9

May this meditation spur us on to take it all seriously, as we are taught greater fear of a God, who will not allow us to disobey His commands, forever.