LESSON 1.—JANUARY 4.—THE BARREN FIG TREE.
NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The lessons are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson. Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” pp. 212–218. 6 “And He spake this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 7 And he said unto the vine-dresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? 8 And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.” 1. With what form of teaching did Jesus continue His instruction? Verse 6. Note 1. 2. What fact was stated as the basis of the lesson? 3. What did the owner naturally expect from his tree? 4. What was the result of his search for fruit? 5. How many times was this experience repeated? Verse 7. 6. What command did he give concerning the tree? 7. What question indicated its worthless condition? 8. How much longer did the dresser of the vineyard ask it to be spared? Verses 8, 9. 9. What effort would he make to render it fruitful? 10. On what condition only would it be spared further? 11. If it failed to fulfil this condition, what was to be done? 12. What application did the parable then have? What application now? 1. TO THOSE acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures the basis of the instruction in this parable was perfectly familiar. A fruit tree existed simply for the purpose of bearing fruit, and when it failed repeatedly to do this, it was not to be permitted to draw life out of the earth merely to keep itself alive. This was the Gospel of the fruit tree, and it had been frequently interpreted to the people. The cause of barrenness was to be found in sin (Ps. 107:33, 34), while righteousness was the basis of fruitfulness (Ps. 92:12–15), which would continue even “in old age.” The truth had been set forth that delight in the law of the Lord would result in bringing forth fruit (Ps. 1:1–3), and the Messiah’s work in imparting to His people “the law of the Spirit of life” would make them “trees of righteousness.” Isa. 61:1–3. 2. THE rejection of the Messiah and His work of grace resulted in the loss of the kingdom of God, which was given “to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” They thus lost the opportunity of giving to the world the Gospel of the kingdom. 3. THE tree which did not “cease from yielding fruit” was constantly proclaiming the experience of “the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jer. 17:7, 8. In the light of these interpretations, those who heard the parable of the unfruitful tree had no difficulty in making a right application of its meaning. With the further light from the teaching of Jesus (Matt. 7:19; John 15:2–5), we ought to be able to make a close personal application of this lesson (2 Peter 1:5–8), and bring forth “fruit worthy of repentance.” Read Luke 13:1–5, which gives the circumstances which led to this parable, and then read Rev. 3:14–19, and note the earnest call to repentance. This parable is present truth.