The Barren Fig Tree
The Barren Fig-Tree
By John Newton
The church a garden is
In which believers stand,
Like ornamental trees
Planted by God's own hand:
His Spirit waters all their roots,
And every branch abounds with fruits.
But other trees there are,
In this enclosure grow;
Which, though they promise fair,
Have only leaves to show:
No fruits of grace are on them found,
They stand but cumb'rers of the ground.
The under gard'ner grieves,
In vain his strength he spends,
For heaps of useless leaves,
Afford him small amends:
He hears the Lord his will make known,
To cut the barren fig-trees down.
How difficult his post,
What pangs his bowels move,
To find his wishes crossed,
His labors useless prove!
His last relief is earnest prayer,
Lord, spare them yet another year.
Spare them, and let me try
What farther means may do;
I'll fresh manure apply,
My digging I'll renew
Who knows but yet they fruit may yield!
If not--'tis just, they must be felled.
If under means of grace,
No gracious fruits appear;
It is a dreadful case,
Though God may long forbear:
At length he'll strike the threatened blow,
And lay the barren fig-tree low.
John Newton was a slave ship captain and investor in the salve trade until his conversion to Christianity. Then he became a prominent abolitionist and is most famous for writing the great hymn Amazing Grace.
In this poem, he recounts the story found in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. He describes the fear and panic the gardener experiences at the thought of cutting down the tree that he has nurtured for a long time. We can all relate to the need for one last chance before drastic action is taken against us. This feeling is often worse when it comes to someone or something we love.
We don’t want to give up on the people around us, but there are times when we have no choice but to act. Think of the second chances you have given to others; how often do they pay off?
God does not want to give up on us. He wants to love us, and for us to accept His love. Not only are we called to nurture others so that they may bear fruit, but we are also called to accept such care and nurturing ourselves, that we too may bloom in the light of God’s grace.
Today's readings: Exodus 3:1-8,13-15 Psalm 102 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12 Luke 13:1-9
Photo: John Newton
Source: Third Sunday of Lent
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