The Barren Fig Tree.
I. God has placed us in the most favourable circumstances for the bringing forth of fruit. The privileges of the Jews were small in comparison with those which we enjoy. The light which they enjoyed was that of the early dawn; ours is that of the noonday sun. They had the prophets; we have the Son of God.
II. God expects exceptional fruit from a tree on which He has bestowed such exceptional advantages. If we have so much more than other nations, we ought to be just so much better than they, for the fruit in this case is that of character. Righteousness, meekness, fidelity, in a word, moral excellence springing from our faith in Christ, and our devotion to Him, that is the fruit which God expects to find in us as the occupants of His vineyard.
III. God pronounces sentence of destruction on all who, having had such privileges, bring forth no fruit. The Church's life depends on the present members of the Church, and only through their fruitfulness can its permanence be insured. The same is true of individuals. When they cease to grow, they cease to live; and barrenness is at once the symptom of death and the reason why they die.
IV. This sentence pronounced on the barren fig tree is not at once carried into execution. The stroke of Divine justice is arrested for a season, and its arrest is due to the mediation of the great High Priest. But there is no indifference; and if the fruitless man repent not, the day of the Lord will come to him as a thief in the night, and he will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
W. M. Taylor, The Parables of Our Saviour,p. 276.
References: Luke 13:6. R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons,1st series, p. 52.Luke 13:6-9. Homiletic Magazine,vol. vi., p. 289; Preacher's Monthly,vol. x., p. 358; E. Blencowe, Sermons to a Country Congregation,vol. i., p. 386; A. B. Bruce, The Parabolic Teaching of Christ,p. 927.