3rd Lent, Year C | The Parable of the Fig Tree
What We Celebrate
At the start of the gospel narrative, people bring Jesus an account of Pilate’s horrific actions among the Galileans as well as a construction accident in Jerusalem. One set of deaths is caused by human choices; the other was accidental. One set of deaths is among people far from Jerusalem; the other happens to people within the holy city’s walls. In the moment, Jesus addresses what likely lies on the hearts and minds of the people gathered: was all this because of their sinfulness that such tragedies befell them? He directly tells them that the answer is “no.” The point is clear. Tragedies occur, whether intentionally by oppressive governors such as Pilate or accidentally by imperfections in the kind of world we live in. In neither case must one conclude that tragedies are necessarily an indication of divine judgment against sinners. Rather, in view of the uncertainty of life and the unpredictability of the future one must be warned to examine one’s own life and repent. And this leads us to the parable of the fig tree in the orchard.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Image credit: The Vine Dresser and the Fig Tree | James Tissot, 1886-1894 | Brooklyn Museum | PD-US
Reaching into the treasure trove that is Rev. Billy Grahm – a simple message of repentance.
On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
