Finding My Place in the Story

Scripture – Luke 13:6-9: 6Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Reflection: Jesus used a lot of parables for His teaching. They’re little stories that have layers of meaning. I’ve learned one way to explore a parable is to see where I am in it. Which role (or roles) might I fill?

For example, in this story there are three main roles: the owner of the vineyard, the gardener and the fig tree. At different times I’ve been in all three.

Going a step farther, I notice the soil and the fertilizer. How would I fit in those roles?

Where do you see yourself? What lesson does Jesus have for you today? For me I see a lesson in patience and not giving up on something…..yet.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, May 3 – Luke 13:10-13: 10On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.