Finish the Story

Daily Reading:  Luke 13

Scripture Focus: A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. (Luke 13.6)

Devotional Thought:  The unfruitful fig tree is a great story!  But it needs an ending.  First, consider the following facts:

·       The fig tree was not some wild tree randomly growing in the midst of the grapes.  It had been purposefully planted by the owner of the vineyard, who had a special interest in the fig tree bearing fruit.  He wanted it to “succeed.”  Jesus wants each and every one of us to succeed, to bear fruit.

·       The fig tree – for whatever reason – had stopped producing figs.  Perhaps it was a blight in the branches.  Or maybe the roots grew down to a rock that prohibited water flow and stunted its growth.  No excuse sufficed, however.  A fruit tree that did not bear fruit would not be tolerated by the owner.  Other, more productive, uses could be made of that spot in the vineyard.

·       The gardener was willing to go the extra mile to save the fig tree.  What a picture of intercessory prayer!  The gardener had a stake in the fig tree as well.  He boldly went to the owner – in spite of the owner’s direct order – and asked for more time, for mercy.  Am I doing all I can to help others succeed spiritually?  Am I willing to get my hands dirty to save them? 

"How does this parable end?  The point of the parable is that everyone is going to die…  Judgment is coming.  What will we do with our lives before it does?  What fruit are we going to bear in the meantime?  The open ending of the parable suggests that Jesus may have wanted his listeners to finish it for themselves."  (The Quest Bible)

How will you finish the story?

Prayer: Lord, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and glory.  Help me to be fruitful!  I consecrate myself to do your will, O Lord.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 139.7-16

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night, ”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.