The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree – Luke 13:6-9
Last Sunday morning in my teaching time, I launched us into a summer study of the parables of Jesus with the first parable of the new wine and old wineskins. This Sunday, for our second study, I will be walking us through the very short, but almost harsh, parable of the unfruitful fig tree.
Jesus was famous for his use of parables. Most of the time we think of them as sweet little moralistic stories. But already, during the beginning of our study, we are discovering that actually his parables were very blunt, and honestly harsh as they pierce our dull hearts. The parable of the wineskins does this, and this week, this short little story of the unfruitful tree does the same.
In preparation for this Sunday morning, I will continue to encourage you to do these things:
- Read the parable before Sunday: Luke 13:6-9
- Put the parable in context by reading all of Luke 13 and the several other parables Jesus told.
- Consider these questions as you study the parable:
- What is the exaggerated truth in this story?
- What is the transfer from the human story to an eternal truth?
- What is the surprising conviction that confronts me in this story—and what am I going to do about it?
During Sunday’s message, consider the specific application out of this story and what Jesus is teaching you. This sermon comes with a warning label: be prepared to be confronted with the truth about an unproductive and unfruitful life. Read the story for yourself and contemplate it. This weekend, talk through the implications with someone in a small group or in your worship gathering.
See you Sunday morning.
