God's Glory Church

Any tragedy has its consequences, any war has its end, but what comes after is the question that everyone who finds themselves face to face with such a test must answer. Today, many in our country have already faced this issue, because for some the war has not even begun yet and it is somewhere far away, while others are already mourning their husband or father, brother or sister, wife or mother of their children. For these people, the war is already over. Yes, it is still ongoing, but for them it no longer makes any sense, because the fact that they lost their loved ones has confronted them with completely different questions and challenges. How to live further? What to live for? How to raise children who are left without a father or mother? And many similar ones: “How?” and “Why?”

Are there answers to all these questions? Does God give any answers for us, those who, by His grace, have not yet been touched by all these sorrows and suffering?

Yes, God has answers and He has clear recommendations both for those who are now experiencing the bitterness of loss and for those who have not yet even understood what is really happening in our country. We see in the scripture that Christ worries about people, grieves for those who innocently suffered, and worries even more about the salvation of those who continue to blithely think that their tragedies and death will pass by. Today’s parable is for all of us – for those who have now lost the meaning in life and for those who still continue to think that everything is fine with them and will continue to do so in their lives.

“And he spake this parable: A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, and found none; and he said to the vinedresser, “Behold, I have come for the third year looking for fruit on this fig tree, and have not found it; cut it down: why does it occupy the land? But he answered him: Master! leave it this year too, while I dig it up and cover it with manure, and see if it bears fruit; if not, then next year they cut it down.” (Luke 13:6-9)

Just a little earlier, Jesus said to those listening to Him: if you do not repent, you will perish. And, as an illustration of His words, He gives this parable. It doesn’t take much thought to understand that the fig tree is the believers who are in the vineyard of God, that is, in the church. The master – Christ – came and looked for the fruit of faith and good deeds, but did not find it. He came more than once: the first time – through Moses, the second time – through the prophets, and the third time – Himself personally. But despite all this, those who called themselves believers did not repent. The Jews, who were previously called the people of the Lord and the holy people, neglected this election, so God brought the pagans into His vineyard who could bear fruit (Matt. 21:43).

But you might object: “What does all this have to do with us today? After all, this is already a story that we can read in the Gospel.” This parable has an even broader meaning and that is why each of us should see ourselves in the place of this fig tree. After all, by the fig tree one can understand all of humanity: by the lord – God the Father; under the vinedresser – the Son of God, who appeared in the flesh to take care of and cleanse our vineyard. Christ does not allow this fig tree to be cut down as barren, saying to the Father: “Leave it for this year too.” If (people) have not improved through the Law and the Prophets and have not brought forth the fruit of repentance, then I will also feed them with My word and suffering, and perhaps they will bear the fruit of gratitude. If the fig tree does not bear fruit, then you will cut it down, rejecting them from the fate of the righteous. Each of us is a fig tree planted in the vineyard of God, or, to put it more simply, in this world. God comes to look for fruit, and if he finds you barren, he commands you to be plucked from this life. But the vinedresser can spare. Who is this winegrower? The vinedresser is not only Christ, but also a man himself. After all, everyone is a vinedresser for himself. Often, when exposed to a fatal illness or other dangers, we say: Lord! Have mercy on us, leave us alone for this year, and we will repent. If we bear fruit, then good; and if not, then the Lord will no longer leave us in His vineyard, but will pluck us from this world so that we do not take up space in vain. And whoever sees a sinner living for a long time, he himself becomes spoiled and becomes worse, and thus it turns out that the sinner himself does not bear fruit, but hinders another who could bear fruit.

God is so concerned about us that He does not pass judgment right away. We have been given three Laws through which the Lord comes to us – natural, Mosaic and spiritual. We should bear fruit even under the guidance of natural law, for nature itself reveals God to us. To help the natural, the Lord gave the Mosaic Law. When he too turned out to be useless for us, He gave the spiritual Law. God knocks on everyone’s life again and again, and sometimes the suffering that our people face today is another God’s warning to you and me. After all, if even in the face of death we don’t think about why we live, then in fact it’s time to cut down our fig tree.

Let’s not be fruitless, because so many people today need you: your love, your care, your help and compassion. How many people today are looking for consolation and understanding, but do not find it, and it is you who must become the answer – this is the fruit that the Lord expects from you!