Thursday Morning Service – Oct 29, 2026

The Fig Tree That Got One More Year

A Thursday Morning Parable · Luke 13:6–9 (World English Bible)

Jesus told a short story about a fig tree planted in a vineyard. The owner came looking for fruit and found none.

“A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.” (Luke 13:6, WEB)

Day One. The owner saw bright green leaves and expected figs for breakfast. He searched the branches and found not one. The vinedresser said the tree was still young. Leaves look great from across the field—but the owner planted the tree for fruit, not for looks.

Day Two. A year later the tree was taller and greener, and the basket still empty. Busy isn’t the same as fruitful. God isn’t looking for the busiest tree in the vineyard. He’s looking for fruit—the fruit of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, WEB)

A year as a tree. Spring, summer, fall, winter—the vinedresser never skipped watering. Fruit doesn’t come from trying to look good. It comes from being connected:

“I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, WEB)

The third day. Three years, still no figs. The owner said to cut it down. Then the vinedresser stepped between them and asked for one more year—to dig around the roots and feed them.

“Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?”

“Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.” (Luke 13:7–9, WEB)

The owner granted one more year. The digging hurt. The fertilizer wasn’t pretty. But the tree stayed rooted and received care—and the next spring, ripe figs filled every basket.

Word for today. Maybe you feel like that tree: lots of leaves, not much fruit. Hear the good news: you have a Vinedresser. Jesus stands between you and the axe and asks for more time for you.

“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, WEB)

Don’t waste this year. Stay rooted in Him. Let Him do the digging. Watch what grows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.

For Dennis Kinane, with love and gratitude.

Story structure by Rev. Thomas Dale Morgan · Scripture: World English Bible (public domain)

Prayer Asks

• K. asks prayer for strength and peace on the first week of a new job.
• D. asks prayer for a son coming home, that the family would be restored.
• M. asks prayer for favor at a job interview this Thursday.
• J. gives thanks for 90 days of sobriety and asks prayer to keep going.
• Our staff asks prayer for wisdom, unity and provision for the ministry this week.
• D.K. — healing while fighting Legionnaires’ disease; strength, and care for his doctors and nurses. His story (coming soon)