AUGUST 31st

THE BARREN FIG TREE (Continued)

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:1–9

^{1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.}

^{2　And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?}

^{3　I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.}

^{4　Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?}

^{5　I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.}

^{6　He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.}

^{7　Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?}

^{8　And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:}

^{9　And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.}

     Back to the certain man’s address to the vinedresser, Jesus said, ""Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? The vinedresser responded, "Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 　And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Because of Jesus’ obedience in His Redemptive Work, the Father could guarantee such a response. The Holy Spirit is the Guarantee. It would take the Power of the Cross to dig or break up the fallow ground of the heart. Christ, the Resurrected and Anointed One could then be in full operation. The Spirit could then open hearts and eyes. The root meaning of the word "dung" means to smite. That too speaks spiritually to an action that can only be accomplished through Jesus’ obedience of the Cross. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)."

     God’s Word did not return to Him void and as Hebrews 8:10 testifies, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Spiritual Israel then is the result of Jesus’ obedience. Hopefully it is clear now why the affront described preceding the parable was such a desperate attempt of the enemy to denigrate the True. It was impossible for the enemy to stop that which he wanted to; therefore, his best effort was to oppose it with all his power. Jesus Christ finished the Work, returned to Father, He and Father returned to abide with all who receive Them, are all One, and the Spirit of Truth will make this plain to every pure heart.