In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells a parable about an unfruitful fig tree, illustrating God's patience but also the urgency of repentance. The narrative lecitonary reading starts with a warning of repent, change your mind or rerutn to the Lord. This links with the parable and what happens to the unfruitful tree in the end is not disclosed.
Not knowing the fate of the tree is unsettling but totally in keeping with Jesus at this moment as he moves to Jerusalem.
This is a parable where the Christ-like character is clear. Depending on the translation this is the vinedresser or the gardener. The Greek word translated as "let it be" in the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9) is ἄφες (aphes). He responds to the owner’s command to cut down the unfruitful fig tree, saying:"Ἄφες αὐτὴν καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἔτος" (Aphes autēn kai touto to etos), meaning "Let it alone this year also" or "Let it be for this year."
The verb ἄφες (aphes) comes from ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), which can mean "let go," "permit," "forgive," or "allow." In this context, it expresses the plea to allow more time for the tree to bear fruit before cutting it down.
This is the same word Jesus will say when he is on the cross and prays "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".which makkes the lament over Jerusalem particularly poignant when Jesus muses "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’
The ending of the film "Stranger than Fiction" reflects and engenders a similar grief of the watcher's heart when the main character of that story knows he must die to prevent the death of a child and he willingly walks to the death he decides must happen..
This Lent is continually tugging at the heart.
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