Luke 13
This chapter has parables and healing. After a call to repentance.
Jesus goes to a parable of the Barren Fig Tree. The image of the fig tree has
deep roots in the Bible. Prophets Hosea (9:10) and Nahum (3:12) develop the
image, which Jesus brings to fruition. The listeners of Jesus immediately understood
that the fig tree is a description of Israel, same as the prophets would say.
This parable has many layers of understanding, and math
skills can help to dig even deeper in the dialog of the owner and the vinedresser.
The owner says that he has been waiting for the fruit for the last three years.
According to the Leviticus 19:23-25, after planting of a tree is it pointless to
look for the fruit during first three years. Therefore, if we have a godly
owner (and we have no reason to assume otherwise), he waited 3 years, then he
waited for the fruit 3 years, and now he gives a chance to the fig tree for one
more year. Total seven – he will evaluate the fruitfulness of the trees after the
seventh/sabbatical year.
God is the One who gives us fruit, evaluation, and rest. The vinedressers of the Church take care of the flock, encouraging the growth of the fruit (cp. Gal. 5:22-23). This growth is also exhibited in two other parables in the chapter – parables of the mustard seed and the leaven. Both are very short, delivering the main idea using just a sentence of two, and the idea is growth (Lk. 13:18-21). The word Kingdom here should be taken not only as a kingdom, but as a rule, rule of God. His rule is getting people to grow, grow in their piety, grow in their godliness, grow in the care for themselves and others.
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