EARLY FIRE 🔥 WINE October 22, 2025 TOPIC: PARABLES (29) - By B.B. John Let move on to the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: “He 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. 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?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6–9, NKJV) In this parable, the Vineyard Owner represents God the Father, the Vinedresser symbolizes Jesus Christ, and the Fig Tree stands for Israel, and by extension, every believer in Christ. God has planted each of us to bear fruit. Yet, unfruitfulness remains a serious problem among many Christians. It often springs from hypocrisy, negligence, and spiritual laziness—conditions that result in leaves without fruit (outward religion without inward transformation) as seen in Mark 11:12–14. The fig tree had been planted and cared for over the years, yet it remained barren. In the same way, God has invested life, grace, truth, talents, and countless opportunities into our lives, but many still fail to yield fruit. There is no evidence of love, repentance, holiness, good works, soul-winning, or godly influence. Ordinarily, the unfruitful tree should have been cut down. However, Christ’s merciful intercession secured another chance. As the Vinedresser pleaded, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it…” This depicts the season of grace, a divine period of patience and mercy- giving us time to bear fruit. Yet, grace is not to be taken for granted. The warning remains clear: “If it bears fruit, well; but if not, cut it down.” God’s mercy has a limit; persistent rejection of His grace eventually leads to judgment. In His kindness, Christ continues to “dig around” our lives—cultivating and nourishing us through the Word, the Holy Spirit, divine discipline, correction, and life’s challenges, all designed to make us fruitful. Let us not waste the opportunities of grace. God’s patience calls for repentance, spiritual awakening, and a renewed commitment to produce fruit worthy of our calling. REFLECTION QUESTION: How are you responding to God’s patience - positively, or are you taking it for granted? Main Text: Luke 13:6–9 Memory Verse: John 15:8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” Remain blessed, and have a blessing packed and thrilling mid-week. EARLY FIRE 🔥 WINE A Publication of Jesus Flaminglamps Ministries