THE FIG-TREE WITHOUT FRUIT.

409

CCLXXVIL

JHE pic-TREE Witnout FRUIT.

S|)HIS is another parable
which Jesus told the
people, and a very solemn
parable it is. He said, a
certain man had a fig-
tree planted in his vineyard; and he
came and sought fruit on it, and
found none. Then he said to the
dresser of the vineyard, “‘I'hese
three years I come, seeking fruit on
this fig-tree, and find none; cut it
down; why should it stay in the
ground any longer?” But the
dresser of the vineyard answered,
“Lord, let it alone this year also;
and I will attend to it, and dig about
it, and manure it; perhaps it will
bear fruit next year, and then all
will be well; and if not, after that
thou shalt cut it down.”

We do not read whether the fig-
tree did bear fruit the next year, or
' whether it did not, and was cut
down; for Jesus said no more about
it. But what must we learn from
the parable ? What does it mean ?

  

God is the master of the vineyard,
and those people who profess to
serve Him, are like fig-trees growing
in the vineyard. If these people
really love God, His grace in their
hearts will enable them to bring
forth fruit; good fruit, the fruit
of the Spirit. God looks into their
hearts to see if these holy fruits are
growing there ; and if He finds none,
He is angry; for God does not care
for profession only; He wants love
and obedience. Now Godis seeking
fruit in you. Perhaps He has sought
a long time, and found none; and
this may be the last year He will
seek at all; the last year you may
have to live; the last year you may
have to pray for pardon, and grace,
and salvation. Next year you may
be in another world; and that
world will not be Heaven, if you
bring forth no fruit to the glory of
God here. Remember that now is
“the accepted time, now is the day
of salvation.”