Where's the fruit?

Then he(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 around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

Luke 13:6-9

Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that the importance of naming our tendency to skirt the "good" that God wishes for us is a one shot deal. Well, I don't know about you, but speaking for myself, many of my "small" shortcomings linger on my menu of behavioral, emotional, mental or verbal possibilities even after words of confession. I speak of my desire to step away from some troublesome trait or temptation...and for a while it recedes and I get glimpses of some fruit that is produced by my hope of "being" different. I function differently for a while and things do begin to move in a new direction.

Then, something happens "out there" that pushes a button "in here". If I am not vigilant, I careen towards that old tendril that is ill advised, but at least familiar!

It is wise to avoid preoccupation with my diverted or stumbling step...and simply return to God's loving and wise embrace. Robert Jensen speaks well as he reflects upon repentance in "Preaching Luke's Gospel."


Repentance is not a fruit problem; it is a root problem. It is the root of who we are that is a problem in God's eyes. So repentance cannot be composed of "I can" statements. "I have sinned God. I am sorry God. I can do better." Repentance, rather, must be composed of "I can't" statements. "I have sinned, God. I am sorry. God, I've tried and tried and tried but I just don't produce good fruit. I can't seem to do better. I need your Vinedresser to work on the roots of my life. Give me a new life, God. Give me your life. I can't. You can." [p. 147]

Repentance is a process, not a one time extreme makeover. It is a way of life ... and when I get my head and heart around that fact I no longer am paralyzed in regret or self-condemnation when I mess things up. I turn from my failure and face God's grace and mercy...and as long as I stay close to that root, I AM more likely to serve as one growing in new life. That is the Good Fruit that proclaims the Good News to others!