The fig tree

One of the lectionary readings for this week is Luke 13:1-9. This passage contains the story of the fig tree:

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. 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?'

"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

I have to admit that I've never found much comfort in this passage before. The "cut it down" phrase is very abrupt, I think

What I have never noticed until this week is that this passage is one of grace. The tree has not been producing fruit. It has done nothing to earn its place in the garden. And yet, the gardener is not willing to give up it this tree, yet. He persuades the landowner to give him another chance with the fruitless tree. He has no reason to do that, except that he feels a need, I think, to try to save the tree.

Even if perhaps it looks hopeless.

Even if the tree has been fruitless, so far.

Even though the time spent with the wayward tree might be more profitably spent doing something else.

Still, the gardener takes the time to invest in a seemingly hopeless situation because he believes in the potential of the tree, and because he's just not willing to give up yet.

There is definitely grace in that story -- grace that I had always missed.