URC Daily Devotion 19 February 2025

St Luke 13: 6 – 9

Then Jesus told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

Reflection

Back in Genesis 1, the Creator puts in place all that is necessary for continuing life on Planet Earth. Each plant and every creature, including humans, is called forth to produce more of their kind in their time. And God declared it good.

The plants were to produce seeds. Fruit trees were to produce fruit containing seeds. So the reproduction and continuation of the species God has created could continue. That is His will, His plan.

I wonder what the Creator thinks of the scientists paid by commercial enterprises to produce the F1 hybrids and the like which deliberately do not produce seed, so poor farmers cannot save seed from one year’s crop but must find cash to buy in seed for the next year’s harvest.

And what of this story of a fig tree not following the Creator’s instructions? 

It is so easy to be angry with the people we think are wrecking Creation, stirring up wars and conflicts, doing bad things to the helpless. We can even be tempted to pray for God’s wrath on them.

But look what happens to this errant fig tree. In God’s economy, it gets another chance – and not only another full year in which to fulfil its potential, it also gets fed. Nourished. Maybe better nourished than it had been before. So this time, it has a real chance of doing better.

Dare we love the people who are trashing the planet? Dare we ask for God’s goodness and love for the people murdering women and children in Ukraine, Gaza, and all the other places in our world? Dare we trust that love wins? That the fig tree will produce fruit?

Prayer

You are a wise and loving gardener, Lord, and we have made an unhealthy mess of your garden with our greed and our wars.  Forgive us, and give us wisdom and generosity of heart so that all may have the environment they need in which to thrive. And may we be grateful for all the second chances and more that you give us. Amen.