13th December – Luke 13: “The Master Seeks Fruit”
Bloom Where God Has Planted You!
December 13 – 25 Days of Christmas Devotions
Luke chapter 13 is both sobering and tender all at once. At this point, Jesus is nearing the three‑year mark of His public earthly ministry. In this chapter, He tells the story of a master who came seeking fruit from his fig tree for three years, but found none.
Jesus had been ministering in Israel, and Israel was God’s fig tree — the most privileged tree in the garden. It was a prized possession. Fig trees were often planted by a well, carefully tended, even protected by a wall. They did not bear fruit just once a year, but twice. They were meant to be the most fruitful of all trees.
But with great privilege comes great accountability.
God has a purpose in planting each of us where we are — to bear fruit for His glory.
The Purpose of Bearing Fruit
Jesus goes on to tell two more parables in Luke 13 about problems that hinder fruit‑bearing, even within the church. So we must determine to bloom where God has planted us.
There is a clear purpose in bearing fruit. God has a purpose for your life. You may not even be saved — you may be like this fig tree, soaking up all the blessings of life, just as the fig tree absorbed sunlight, air, water, and nutrients from the soil. Yet Jesus says of such a tree, “It cumbers the ground.” It simply takes up space. It takes from God without fulfilling the purpose for which it was created.
Many people are never truly planted in Christ. But once you are, God desires not only that you be saved, but that you bear fruit for Him.
Jesus said in John 15, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” May the Lord receive glory from our lives.
The Privilege of Bearing Fruit
Bearing fruit is not only a purpose — it is also a privilege.
Israel was uniquely privileged. Situated at the crossroads of three continents, with major trade routes passing through, they had the temple, the Scriptures, and a powerful witness to the world. They were a highly blessed people — like that fig tree.
We might ask the same question of ourselves. What about our nation? Here in England, we once stood at the centre of a great empire. Think of the missionaries sent throughout the world and the Bibles distributed across nations. Yet now we hear of missionaries coming to us from other countries. Are we bearing fruit for God’s glory in our generation?
This question applies not only nationally, but personally — to us as churches and as individuals. We live in the church age with extraordinary privileges: God’s Word faithfully preserved, the Holy Spirit living within believers, and the church family encouraging one another and serving together. We truly have everything we need.
And yet Scripture says that these privileged people were still “cumbering the ground.”
Personal Accountability Before God
With privilege comes accountability — a personal responsibility to bear fruit.
Luke 13 begins with a sober warning: “Repent, or ye shall perish.” People came to Jesus telling Him about horrific events — Pilate’s brutal killing of Galileans, and the tower of Siloam falling and killing eighteen people. Jesus responded by asking whether these victims were greater sinners than others. His answer was clear: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
We sometimes say, “I can’t believe because of all the terrible things I’ve been through.” But Scripture reminds us that suffering is universal — and it should point us to the One who can do something about it. Instead of blaming God, we must come to Him. Jesus calls us not only to be saved, but to bear fruit.
Otherwise, He warns, the fig tree will be cut down.
Yet there is mercy. Jesus says, “Give it another year also.” There was still time. Perhaps the Lord is giving us more time as well. As we approach another year, He may be digging around the tree — stirring the soil, exposing the hard ground, pulling out the weeds of sin that hinder fruitfulness.
He also speaks of adding nourishment. Maybe we need to grow deeper in God’s Word so we can serve Him more faithfully. Perhaps our nation senses its need, but lacks truth. May God raise up churches and believers to proclaim His Word clearly and boldly.
Problems of Bearing Fruit
The Lord tells two more short parables to emphasise the right way to bear fruit. He prophesies that the Kingdom of God, which is meant to be a mustard seed herb, spreading along the ground, will instead become a monstrosity which the birds (a sign of false teachers) will come and rest in it. He also warns that it will become filled with leaven (always a sign of sin or false doctrine in Scripture). This interpretation of these parables is also confirmed by the response of the man in the following verses who is surprised that so few will be saved.
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
The second half of Luke 13 addresses God’s sovereignty alongside human responsibility. Jesus knows what lies ahead — even the future of Jerusalem — yet He weeps over those who willingly reject Him.
He says, “How often would I…but ye would not.” Scripture tells us that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The issue is not inability — it is unwillingness. Our will matters.
Though few will be saved and the path is narrow, every person is responsible for how they respond to Christ. Herod may try to silence Him, but cannot thwart God’s plan. And in the final verses, we see Jesus as a friend — a Saviour who longs to gather His people, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.
Three Urgent Truths
Luke 13 presses three urgent truths upon us:
- We must come to Christ. “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
- We are called to bear fruit. This is not a burden, but a privilege.
- The door is still open. Few are saved, yet Jesus says, “Strive to enter.” He has done the work — we must simply come, without delay, without excuses.
The dresser of the vineyard is still pleading for more time — for us to bear fruit for God. The door is still open. The Saviour is still calling.
Do not wait. Come. Enter. And bear fruit for Him.
