God of the Second Chance.

Reading: Luke 13:6-9.

V 6 “He (Jesus) 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.
V 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?”
V 8 But he answered and said to him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
V 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.”

I like these verses because it speaks about our God of the second chance, these verses also speak about God’s love and forgiveness.

Jesus tells a story about a man who had a fig tree in his vineyard. He went to the vineyard expecting to find some figs on his tree, but there were none. He said to the man who took care of the 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?”

But, the keeper of the vineyard begged saying: “Leave it alone for one more year, I will dig around it and put fertilizer on it. If it has fruit next year, fine. If not, then cut it down.” The vine dresser cared, and asked the owner to give the fig tree a second chance.

In this story:

The owner of the vineyard is God.

The keeper of the vineyard is Jesus.

The tree represents God's children.

The advantages which this fig-tree had.

“This fig tree was planted in his vineyard.” It was placed in better soil, and where it had more care taken of it and more pains taken with it, than other fig-trees had, that commonly grew, not in vineyards (Those are for grapevines), but by the way-side, Matthew 21:19.

This fig-tree belonged to a “certain man.”

This man owned it, and it was at his expense and property. Note, the church of God is His vineyard, we are fig-trees planted in this vineyard by our faith in Christ; we have a place and a name in the visible church, and this is our honour and happiness.

The owner’s expectation of fruit:

“He came seeking fruit on it and found none.”  He had reason to expect fruit on it. Note: he did not send someone else, but came himself, implying his desire to find fruit.

The God of heaven requires and expects fruit from those that have a place in His vineyard. He has His eye upon those that enjoy the gospel, to see whether they live up to it; He seeks evidences of His grace and love in their lives.

Leaves will not do.

Blossoms will not do.

There must be fruit. Our thoughts, words, and actions must be according to the gospel, of light and love.

Note, the disappointment of His expectation:

He found none, none at all, not one fig. It is sad to think how many enjoy the joys of the gospel, and yet do nothing at all to the honour of God. God has “planted” us on this earth and he expects us to produce good fruit in our life. God has every reason to expect His children to produce good fruit. What kind of fruit? Things like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and kindness. When He does not see these things in our life, He is very disappointed, but He is willing to give us another chance.

Just as the owner of the vineyard gave the fig tree a second chance, God gives us a second chance too and it is important for us to know that we do not have to do it alone. When we allow Jesus to work in our lives, he will help us to produce the kind of fruit that God expects. I am so glad that we have a loving and forgiving God who gives us a second chance?

Prayer:

Dear Father, we are thankful that even though we don't always produce the kind of fruit that you desire, you give us a second chance. Help us to allow Jesus to work in our lives so that we will produce the kind of fruit that you want from us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.