Parables: The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13) Questions for Reflection

Jesus tells The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree in response to a question from the crowd regarding the cruel execution of Galilean pilgrims at the hands of the Roman governor, Pilate. Luke 11:54 and numerous other scriptures expose the motives behind such questions by the scribes and Pharisees as intended “to catch him in something he might say.” Jesus avoiding the political trap of this question instead focuses the crowd on the universal need for repentance (Luke 13:3, 5). 

The parable itself served as both a warning and an opportunity for ancient Israel. It was a warning to Israel as God’s people to repent or face certain judgment. It was an opportunity in that God is patient and willing to restore them should they repent. While there are theological differences between Israel as God’s people and the church, there are essential lessons in this parable for Christians today.

What do the following scriptures reveal about the necessity of repentance in both salvation and everyday Christian life?

Luke 5:32--

Acts 3:19; 5:31; and 11:18--

Ezekiel 18:23; and 2 Peter 3:9--

James 5:19-20--

Hebrews 3:12-15--

In a related teaching recorded in John 15:1 Jesus declared, “I am the true vine and my Father is the Vinedresser.” Read John 15:1-11. What does it mean to abide in Christ? How does the Christian experience “pruning”? What is the “fruit” spoken of by Jesus in this passage?

Application

In between His calls for repentance Jesus references a calamity that occurred when the “tower in Siloam fell and killed” eighteen people. (Luke 13:4). The correct response to calamity is compassion. How does living a repentant life lead you to a greater capacity for compassion?

Memorize This

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

Family Ministry A-Team

Enjoyed a great meeting the week with NMBC's Children's Ministry A-Team! For more information about making a difference in the lives of children and youth through our Family Ministry make sure to sign up for the Family Ministry Summit September 14th. Lear more about the Family Ministry Summit here.

BGR Assisting Iraq Refugees

Here's the report of assistance being provided by BGR to Iraq refugees--

IRAQ –– While the world’s attention is been riveted on the plight of Iraq’s suffering Yazidi community, BGR humanitarian partners have been working in other parts of the country among some 250,000 other displaced Iraqis.Those efforts focused on providing survival supplies to newly arrived refugees and helping displaced families launch businesses that can provide for their long-term needs.

News outlets reported Aug. 11 that Kurdish fighters were able to rescue some 20,000 Yazidi Iraqis after airstrikes broke a siege conducted by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militia. The United States and United Kingdom both had airdropped supplies to that group of Yazidis, which has since made the hard trek to the Syrian border.

As ISIS fighters overran the cities of Mosul, Tikrit and Tel Afar, an estimated 200,000 people fled, many with nothing more than the belongings they could carry, one of those BGR partners reported. When about 20,000 of those displaced families arrived where the partners were working, the team was able to help meet emergency needs for several hundred families by providing locally purchased tents, drinking water, infant formula and basic food staples. Read more at Baptist Global Response here.

Photo: United Nations

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