A Person Whom God Loves

Date: 6/11/23

Sermon Title: A Person Whom God Loves

Context: Luke 3:6-9

(Luke 3: 6) Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.

(Luke 3: 7) So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

(Luke 3: 8) "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.

(Luke 3: 9) If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

Preaching Note  

1. The parable of the fig tree that bears no fruit

The owner of the vineyard planted a fig tree in his vineyard, but it did not bear fruit (v. 6). So the owner of the vineyard said to the keeper of the vineyard. “Look, I have been coming for three years to get fruit on this fig tree, but I have not seen any fruit. Take it off. Why should I let the land be abandoned?” (v. 7). The vineyard keeper says to the owner. “Master, leave this year alone. Meanwhile I will dig around it and fertilize it” (v. 8). “If you do that, it may bear fruit next season” (v. 9).

The fig tree is an apt symbol of human hope for change. Unlike most trees in Palestine, this tree loses its leaves in the winter and stands like a dead tree, but in the spring it puts forth new leaves with such regularity that we can distinguish the seasons. The fig tree is a symbol of hope even in a place where everything is against hope and where everything seems dead.

2. Parable of Grace

In verses 7-8, the vineyard keeper pleads with the owner of the vineyard to immediately cut down any tree that does not bear fruit for three years. “Leave it alone this year.” Jesus loves not only trees that bear fruit but also trees that do not bear fruit. Jesus loves not only those who have great abilities but also those who lack abilities. It hurts the heart of Jesus to belittle myself for lack of ability and fall into an inferiority complex. Jesus does not ignore or rebuke those who do not bear fruit. He loves even the unfruitful with affection. This is because the possibility of bearing fruit and the possibility of human change still remain for everyone.

3. A Person Whom God Loves

Just as there is hope for a tree that looked like a tree corpse for three years to come back to life, humans can also change. One of the great truths of the Bible is that humans must and can change. As Christians, we need to defend the message about the human capacity to change, to repent, and to defend against the prevalent pessimistic view of the human person.

Of course, we often despair as we see ourselves as unable to change in the infinite process of trial and error. However, we Christians should not be afraid of the possibility of trial and error. You must never fall into the despair that leads to death. Please do not forget Jesus' message of hope. I sincerely pray in the name of the Lord that you will have an amazing experience of changing your character, perspective, and attitude through your life of faith.