Luke 13 opens with warnings. Here’s the first:

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13.1 – 5, ESV)

I quoted the end of this a few weeks ago in the context of disasters avoided. It’s serious stuff: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” ALL? Apparently so. The text immediately follows with this:

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13.6 – 9, ESV)

“My fig tree has no fruit…cut it down!” What’s the context? “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Repent. Change. If you’re barren, do what needs to be done to bear fruit. Else, “you will all likewise perish.”

Technically, this is most likely referring to Israel, symbolized by the fig tree. When Jesus walked the earth, the Father was still seeking fruit from Israel. Who is the vinedresser? Jesus? Jesus comes and challenges the common people and the leadership. Maybe Israel will bear fruit. No? Then cut it down…precisely what happened in 70 A.D. (See Luke 19.43 – 45)

It’s about fruit.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15.8, ESV)

It’s not just about what theology we know, what church we attend, or who our favorite Bible teacher is. It’s about fruit, and one framework for understanding fruit is “the 6Ms,” which I began writing about here. Here’s the list:

• Model godly character
• Make good work
• Minister grace and love
• Mold culture
• Be a Mouthpiece for truth and justice
• Be a Messenger of the gospel

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. (Matthew 21.18 – 19, ESV)

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.'” (Revelation 3.1, 2, ESV)

There are more warnings to follow, the next one from a very familiar text. Stay tuned.