A Fig Among Grapes

Then Jesus told a story. "A man had a fig tree," he said. "It had been planted in his vineyard. When he went to look for fruit on it, he didn't find any.  So he went to the man who took care of the vineyard. He said, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree. But I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'  ”‘Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year. I'll dig around it and feed it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'” Luke 13:6-9

I find it interesting this man plants a fig tree amongst a vineyard of grapes and expects the tree to produce fruit. Why did he plant a fig tree in the vineyard? Maybe because he knew fig trees are able to grow just about anywhere, they can even be seen growing out of stone in Rome! The owner of the vineyard had given up on this fig tree ever bearing fruit, but his worker had not given up on this tree. I believe the worker understood the tree had the potential to bear fruit, it just needed cultivating and he was willing to invest his time to see the tree bear fruit.

Do you ever feel out of place? Do you say to yourself “I am not like other people?” Do not despair; like the fig tree in this passage, those that are regenerated though Jesus Christ, are like a “fig among grapes”! “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” John 17:16. You are God’s ambassador; one who acts as a representative of God, working from an embassy outside your homeland.  Your mission is to represent Jesus where God has placed you.

Is your tree filled with the Fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness? Galatians 5:22 Maybe you are not fruitful in all areas of your life.  Unlike the owner of this fig tree, God has not given up on you! He knows the potential of the “seed” He has placed in you. He has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you, and to be your helper, your cultivator! With the help of the Holy Spirit, reading God’s instruction, The Bible, mediating on His Word and doing His Word, The Fruit of the Spirit will be cultivated in your life.

Be encouraged today God has not left you alone in this foreign land. He knows you will flourish where He plants you and He has given the Holy Spirit to ensure you flourish. Determine for yourself that you have the potential to be fruitful and to be a representative of Jesus.

Repeat as often as needed:

I am love, I am joyful, I am peaceful, I am patient, I am kind, I am good and I am faithful.

Michelle Odom

MJ Ministries

Michelle Odom is an Ordained Minister through United Christian Fellowship and co-founder with her husband, John, of MJ Ministries, a “Practical Evangelism” ministry expressing the Gospel through action. MJ Ministries is dedicated to revealing God’s love through the practice of hospitality using our God given gifts, talents and resources. We are challenged to Engage others in the pursuit of Jesus, Encourage others to realize their potential in Jesus, and Empower others to have influence for Jesus.

 “Mission Possible” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God” Mark 10:27