A fig tree with no figs (March 20, 2022)

The Gardener, Georges Seurat, 1882-3, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

READ: Jesus told this story to people who had come to hear him teach. Once there was a man who owned a vineyard. In addition to all his grape vines, there was a fig tree in his vineyard. One day the man looked and there were no figs on the tree. He told his gardener to cut the tree down, because for three years it had never had figs on it. “It’s taking up valuable ground!” he said in frustration. The gardener replied, “Please give me another year, and let me work the soil with good compost. Let’s see if it produces fruit next year.” (Luke: 13:6-9)    
WONDER: I wonder what happens to the fig tree next year?
I wonder how the fig tree ended up in a vineyard full of grape vines?
I wonder what other creatures visit the fig tree?
I wonder how the gardener will care for the tree?
I wonder why Jesus told this story?
I wonder if God is more like the gardener or like the owner of the vineyard?
SAY: In this story Jesus tells a parable without an ending. While the owner of the vineyard only sees that the fig tree doesn’t have any figs, the gardener sees potential in the tree and will help the tree grow strong. We can see the potential in ourselves and in others, too, if we are given time, love, and patience.
PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for being patient with us. Teach us to be patient with others and with our selves. Amen.
EXTEND

• Affirmation prompt: I am worthy. Using your favorite art materials, create a tree. What are the gifts of your tree? Does it have flowers? fruit? needles?
  ​Does it lose leaves in winter? How does it make a difference in the world? (Prompt is from A Sanctified Art, Full to the Brim children's resources.)
• ​Read The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes. You can listen to the story read on the Milkshake! YouTube channel. I wonder how the little gardener felt when his garden was not doing well? I wonder why the child helped in the garden? Have you ever been helped by someone else?