Are you tired of bullchips from people? Now some prefer to say doo doo, nanny or manure. When some people are angry, they may spout the s word. The Bible in Luke 13:6-9 talks about dung; and the reference is worthy of reflection.
The problem is capsulized in the opening verse. A certain man expected to find fruit on the fig tree in his vineyard; but he found none. The setting is indicative of care. Some fig trees grew by the wayside; but this one was on property managed by a keeper. When a fruit tree does not bear fruit, it is a disappointment to the owner and all those who look forward to its abundance.
In my parents' front yard, there were two guinep trees for years. Every year, both of the trees blossomed; but only one bore fruit.
Many people said that the tree that did not bear needed to be spiked with a nail. Others thought that it should be cut down. My father insisted that it remain because it was needed to pollenate the nearby tree.
One year I planted a garden and not one seed produced a plant! This experience inspired me to consult Debbie, a friend with expertise in horticulture and agriculture. She advised me to get some chicken manure and try it. I went to the chicken farm armed with sufficient bags and containers to give every tree in the yard a dose of nitrogen or whatever it needed. My father was amused; but he gave me sage counsel.
Too much manure or manure placed too close to the root of a plant, he said, would burn it. He instructed me to draw a circle three feet around the plant and place the manure on the circumference. Then I was told to water the area thoroughly.. The roots of the trees would have to search for water and food; and I would see the results.
When I dug up the ground where I had planted my seeds, mixed the soil with manure and watered the area, my father adopted a wait and see attitude. He was amused because he felt certain the seeds would never sprout; and even if they did, they would die soon. What happened next surprised all of us.
Normally , the guinep tree bears a harvest of fruit once a year during the June to August season. That year, we had an abundant harvest in February and during the regular season! Everyone said that the tree bore in February as a sign. The Romaine lettuce I had planted grew bountifully on a four foot stalk. It was delicious. The mustard green had giant leaves and was in great demand. A huge cabbage grew nearby the zinnias, bachelor's buttons and carnations. One tomato measured ten inches in circumference; and the radishes were big and bountiful. The chicken dung had done a marvelous work!
Every story Jesus told has some spiritual significance. Of course, everybody who reads the parable of the barren fig tree will not focus on the same values. Nevertheless, whatever the viewpoint, some of the points will be common.
1. God cares for His creation. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. Those who have been redeemed have been charged with producing good fruit. An orange tree will not produce avocados; nor will a dilly tree bear guavas. Trees bear according to their nature; and this is true of man. Soil condition is also a factor. In the parable of the Sower, Jesus pointed out that only the seed that fell on good ground resulted in a bountiful harvest.
2. There are carnal deeds tha are the works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19-21). In contrast, there are righteous deeds. The Holy Spirit expects His fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (vs. 22-23) to be manifested in a life. Love is the identfying mark of those who have been with Jesus.
3.The tree in the story had not produced any fruit for three years. In order to bear, a tree needs certain conditions. It must look to the sun. It must have water and be planted in good soil. The gardener or keeper took care of its needs. Why was it still unproductive? This tree had no excuse; so it was taking up space.
4. There are only two choices in life. Live or die. Bear fruit or take up space that can be used productively. Obey or disobey God. Love or hate. Cut down or dung the tree.
5. Judgment is swift. When a tree is cut down, it is supposed to be uprooted. Every trace of its existence is removed so that there is no memory of it. The place where it grew is not to be found because of its annihilation. This is the verdict reserved for evildoers and workers of iniquity. They and their works will be condemned in the day of judgment.
6. Grace and mercy was extended to the tree by the keeper, the LORD Jesus Christ, who loves His creation. In Lamentations 3:22,23 the writer makes it clear that it is because of the LORD's mercies that we, mankind, are not consumed. God shows compassion because He has feelings. Jesus can identify with human beings because of the incarnation. God is gracious because He forgives iniquities and transgressions. His eternal love is based on a faith relatiionship.
7. The decision to dig and dung the tree is a call to growth in preparation for the Kingdom of God. The digging turns over the soil, breaking up the hardness and allowing it to breathe properly. At times, man is choked by the cares of life and becomes unyielding to God. Nobody likes to put up with manure; but trees do so gladly. How it smells and tastes is insignificant to the root. Dung contains the nutrients for its bountiful harvest. Spiritually, man faces trials and temptations. James says to consider fiery trials and temptations a joy because it produces the fruit of patience. Paul, in his writing, enumerates his experiences; and he advised all not to look back but to look ahead and keep moving towards the prize of the high calling that is in Christ Jesus.
8. Besides dung and water, trees need the sun, the light source, to manufacture food. The sweetest fruits are those that are sunkissed and ripened on the tree. Man needs the Sun of Righteousness in order to bear savoury fruit. Dung is an asset when there is SONshine!
