The Third and the Fourth Chance

Luke 13:6-9

I once had more than 600 cassettes (tapes) on my shelves. In our previous house in Beirut, we had designed special shelves and put them in a special order. These cassettes were my own collection of many years. Whenever my dad gave me some pocket money, I put it aside and bought tapes. I loved music, and these tapes were my world. Now many years later, I lost my interest in them. The cassettes are old and do not have CD quality. We left most of them back in Lebanon and brought some along. Occasionally, I walk by them and take a look at them. I remember each one, how I bought it and where I bought it. Now, unfortunately they are under some dust and are rarely used.

Today’s passage is taking us to the third week of Lent. It is extremely important to see that God gives us chances. I put away my cassettes, and did not look after them. God does not work with us that way.

When we look at the Gospel stories, we see how Jesus gives a chance to the tax collector, to the women who was caught in adultery, to Peter who denied him, to Thomas who had doubts, and to the thief who was crucified with him. And today Jesus gives a second, and maybe third or fourth chance to a tree which does not bear fruits. Why?

God sees the potential in us.

At the grocery store, when I look at the apples I see a pile. God sees each apple individually. God knows us one by one. When I look at a rock, I see just a rock. However, if Michael Angelo looks at the same rock he sees the famous statue of David. Jesus tells this parable to remind us that God sees in us the chance, the potential of bearing fruit. Starting from the first book of the Bible, God told us to be fruitful. “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen. 1:28)

How are you today? How are you in the mornings? As you wake up, do you say, “Good morning God. Thank you for a new day? I have the potential of bearing fruit today.” Or do you say, “Another morning, another day”?

God is the main source of the fruit.

If one studies agriculture, one will be surprised to see how little the farmer can do in the actual production of the “fruit.”

A study was done about corns. In order to get10 tons of corn, one needs 4000 m² land (1 acre), 1,800,000 liter water, 3000 kg Oxygen, 2300 kg carbon, 75 kg nitrogen, 57 kg potassium, 35 kg yellow sulfur, etc. We need the sun, and the rain. The study shows that the farmer’s input in growing the corn is only 5%.

It is the same when we bear fruits. These fruits are the fruits of the Spirit. If we are not connected to Jesus, if we are not daily in touch with God, nothing will be growing in our life. Of course, we should not be lazy. We have our part, but do not forget that God’s Spirit is the essential source in giving us His fruits.

Therefore, be rooted in Him.

When I look at this parable, I wonder why the farmer gave another chance to the fig tree. There are times when our fruits do not appear. There are days when we are not productive. This does not mean nothing is happening. Here is the beauty of God. The farmer looks, and if he sees that the tree is fruitless, he chops it. But God does not work with us this way. He wants to see if the tree is rooted in Him. Therefore, stop worrying how much fruit one can bear. It is more important to see if one is rooted in God through Jesus Christ.

This is the third week of lent. Where are you this morning? Are you rooted in Jesus Christ? Are you plugged in to God?

Warning: the chance that God gives us, will end one day. The parable goes, “If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'” There is a limit. Be careful, chances could end. Fig trees usually reach maturity in three years. This tree had passed that limit and it was given another short chance. God grants you another chance. Use it wisely.

Therefore, be rooted in God so the fruits of the Spirit can give results, 10, 20 50 and more.