If it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"

- Luke 13:1-9

In yesterday's reading, Jesus talked about discernment - about learning the signs of the times. He spoke of the fire that He was here to bring to the earth through His mission - and talked of how His truth would bring division among people. Jesus emphasized the importance of repentance, of understanding and doing what is right: that it's more important to "settle with your adversary along the way," otherwise we will have to pay the full, steep price. See I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." A note in my study bible reads, "These two historical incidents (vv. 1 and 4) are reported in no other source except Luke. The slain Galileans were probably Zealots, Jewish nationalists who triggered some disturbance against the Romans in the temple area. The collapse of the tower in Siloam may have been simply an accident, rather than an act of sabotage, which people thought of as divine justice on sinners. Jesus passes judgment on neither group. He only registers these tragic events to warn that, unless His listeners respond to His message and repent, they would all likewise perish (v. 5). Perish may have the double meaning of both physical and spiritual death." For myself, I personally believe that Jesus is contrasting an old way of thinking about life and fate with the new way He brings. He's just finished teaching about judgment (see yesterday's reading) and repentance. So, it makes sense that He would elaborate on these themes. Do we assume that any worldly disaster or calamity means that its victims have sinned? No, we cannot presume to know such things. But one thing is certain, nevertheless, there is truly a spiritual judgment, and we are responsible for our choices. We can't judge from the worldly perspective, this is backwards. But we certainly must take seriously our own responsibility for making choices. Worldly judgment is false and misleading. But no one is exempt from the spiritual judgment - the consequences of our spiritual choices are as certain as the disasters we witness in the world.

He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.'" A note reads, "Here Luke gives his account of the fruitless fig tree. It is spared from the curse, at least for a time. In the Old Testament, the fig tree symbolizes Israel, which receives God's loving care in the expectation of a fruitful harvest. Three years (v. 7) probably represents the three-year ministry of Christ. Because of the pleading of an unknown vineyard keeper, the Master allows additional time for true repentance and fruitfulness before judgment occurs." Clearly, we're speaking here of mercy, and the time allotted for repentance. Those who dig around and fertilize that fig tree are like the vineyard workers in other parables Jesus has told: they are the ones that plant the seeds, and do the work, and prepare for the harvest - who labor to grow the crops and produce good fruits. Jesus is preparing us: there will be the harvest, the judgment, but mercy is the nature of this vineyard owner. Over and over again, the Old Testament teaches of God's love and mercy, and so does Jesus in this parable of the fig tree - a common symbol for Israel. The evangelists and disciples and all those who would follow in Christ's footsteps do as the prophets before Christ have done: they prepare for the harvest with love and care in order for the fruits of their work to grow in us.

There are strikingly important concepts about judgment in this reading today. We can't judge from worldly disasters and expressions of cruelties and accidents. What worldly fate befalls us or others may have absolutely nothing to do with what our internal spiritual state is. Indeed, the death of Jesus on the Cross should teach us that once and for all. But there are important things to know about the real spiritual judgment that will come. No one will avoid it - and the consequences of our failure to take that spiritual reality seriously will be as certain as the disasters and problems we see in this world. Moreover, God's judgment is not like worldly judgment. On the other hand, because no disaster has befallen us does not mean this judgment doesn't exist. We must understand the nature of mercy - and how it is contained within the nature of time we are given to change our minds, to practice repentance, to grow in our spiritual nature and states. We mustn't take our good fortune for granted or as a sign of spiritual wellness; neither should we count earthly disasters or calamities as signs of God's wrath. Instead, we must focus on the spiritual reality Jesus teaches. In yesterday's reading, He taught that He was to send a fire on the earth - but first must come His own baptism (the Passion, Crucifixion, death, Resurrection). It is the world of that fire, the Holy Spirit, into which we enter and by which we will face our own judgment. It dwells within us, where our choices lie, where our treasure is and what we choose with our hearts. Can you discern the signs of the times? Do you know what time it is in your life? Dwell in that mercy and practice the change it asks in love, and you will be on the right path He names, to which He calls all of us.