Life Is More Than Occupying Space The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a clear demonstration that death is not final, nor is it the ultimate failure. The refusal to live to our fullest potential is the only real failure. Death signifies the transformation from the purely physical to the purely spiritual. Though our eyes no longer behold the human being we have treasured, our loved one has not ceased to exist but has translated into pure being, pure energy.
Jesus taught through the use of parables, precepts, miracles and actions--creating a living body of teachings. The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree in Luke 13:6 is a perfect example. This parable was framed by a discussion of the absolute necessity for individuals to cease the pointing of fingers at others and see to their own repentance less the suffer a far worse punishment.
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'
But he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.'
Israel, like the fig tree, was planted in a rich and well tended garden, protected by the Gardener as the chosen people of God. Yet they flourished not at all, squabbling and falling out with one another, unless forced to unite against the threat of invasion. Failure to bear the fruit of the Kingdom of God would mean the destruction of the House of Israel.
The gardener requests one more year of special care to encourage growth and the bearing of fruit. If it failed to mature, then it would no longer be allowed to occupy space that could be better utilized. A lemon tree in the yard of my parents' home bore no fruit until Hurricane Donna knocked it over one summer. My Dad straightened it up and staked it and from that year onward it bore fruit.
Crises spur sudden change and growth we might not otherwise seek. The challenge of the fig tree is the challenge of personal growth because life must be more than occupying space, more than settling for what is rather than what ought to be--demanding more of ourselves and our true potential!
Rev. Claudia Naylor
