Most of us know the story- Jesus was hungry one morning and saw a fig tree in full leaf.

Walking over to it, he was dismayed to find that there were no figs on it. So he cursed the tree and when He and His disciples saw it the next morning it had died.

It doesn't seem fair to kill a tree that was happily going about its own business of growing and getting ready to grow fruit.

Not so.

Fig trees produce a harvest twice a year. The fruit actually grows WITH the leaves. The tree that Jesus approached had leaves, but no fruit. That meant that the tree would not bear fruit at all that season.

He wanted to make a point. The tree, like us, are allotted a certain amount of time. The Lord wants us to grow and mature and bring forth good fruit- to be a blessing to others.

The fig tree failed to reach its mandate. Its purpose in life was to grow and bear figs. When it didn't, then its time came to an end and it had proved worthless.

We all have a place in the world and we can all take part in God's work of ministry to others. We can be productive!

Gail said:


No second chance? Do it right the first time or be otherwise slaughtered?

Even though the tree was not providing the *fruit* Jesus wanted, the tree was providing shade, and probably providing a place for birds to nest. Aren't those things important?

There is another story about a husbandman who had an unfruitful tree and he gave it a second chance. (Anyone have the reference?)

But for some reason, this tree didn't get a second chance...

Luke 13:7.