LUKE 13:8-9. “And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it along this year also, till I shall dig about it , and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”
MISSING. No repentance for sin [v.3]: within the grasp so near to the honest seeker; no need to perish; so unnecessary. Death came because Galileans didn’t offer what Pilate wanted. When will life end? Why can I not wait to fill the cup of pleasure and drink it dry? We don’t know. Who would have thought a tower would fall. But it did. People died. They still do. Whether death came violently at the hands of men or as unexpectedly as a falling tower; it was too late to repent then. Face sin now. Turn from sin now; a 180o turn is what repentance is like. Repentance was missing.
No fruit in life [ v.9]: a fruitless fruit tree is a problem to any orchardist. The whole point of the tree in the first place is to bear fruit for the benefit of others. God has a right to expect fruit from those He gave life to. But God is longsuffering and the Spirit of God tries once again to stir to life that which was fruitless. To bear fruit for God is the reason for our existence. The order to cut it down was delayed a little longer, but without fruit, it will be removed. Fruit was missing.
No strength over evil [v.11]: a helpless condition for any person to be in. 18 years unable to have anything done about her problem was a long time. We must come at His call, at His time, to Him and not another person. Willingness to respond to His call was within her power and she acted. He honored her for it. She was bound, but not forever. Strength was missing.
No entry through the door [v.24]: the door was open but will be shut. To enter the door is a choice to be made. Salvation terms are not complicated: “Look unto Me…;” “Come unto Me…;” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…” If one does not consider salvation of supreme importance or does not respond to God’s call, then entrance is denied. When the door is open, all may enter. When the door is shut, none may enter. Entry was missing.
No recognition by Christ [v.27]: they were invited but had denied the invitation. Words have no value if they are not from the heart. Words can actually be deceptive. They are used sometimes to obfuscate reality. God knows what is in the heart of man and is not deceive by empty platitudes of Phariseeism. Reality is seen in acts of genuine faith. One who comes to Christ will strive to enter in. Recognition was missing.
No acceptance of Christ [v.34]: these were desolate but loved. Opportunity had come but they had ignored it. Light had come but they would not receive Him. They would not accept Him in their day of visitation. They cut themselves off from the blessing of salvation. Deliverance was missing.
“Father in heaven: I am really concerned about those who do not understand the good things they are missing by neglecting Thy salvation. It is so important and yet people don’t give it a thought. For years I have wanted to be able to lead people to Christ, but so few want to come. What have I left undone? What should I be doing to make the Gospel more real to people? What have I been missing? I know the people in this chapter are missing out on blessing. Am I missing out on some work or effort that I should do? Please let me know some way if I am. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”