Garden tips

 Luke 13:1-9

Parables were done so that people would scratch their heads and question what was being said. It was a form that was used often to teach in the synagogue and the crowd that is following Jesus would have been familiar with this technique. We often tame them because we are too familiar with them. They don't have the same shock value. 

Today though we are stumped. Remember this parable is to answer the question the crowd was asking about who was the most sinful. Sin in that day and age was linked directly to your family, yourself, your parents, your ancestors and you were punished by the bad things which happened to you. Occasionally we have done this direct connection and the parable is to say you have it wrong.

There is an abundance of stories which tell us that God doesn't see things or people the way we do. This one is just another example. The fig tree is a waste of time. Any good gardener would tell you its diseased or has something which is not making it produce after three years. Get rid of it and plant a new one. 

Isn't this what we do in life? Three strikes and your out. No fruit, no good. Right, this is the way we show we are firm but loving. Really? 

Jesus tells us keep digging in the soil and put manure - good picture - around it. God sees things differently. It doesn't matter what sin is committed. It doesn't matter how good you appear, because we all aren't good enough. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. We are meant to try again.

Everyday when the kids come into school I say their name and welcome them. Not just the ones who were good, but the ones who I had a difficult day with. They need to know the slate is wiped clean and we are starting all over again. Some days it works into wonderful gifts I wouldn't have seen if I kept the record of wrongs going. It has to be genuine though. I can't hold onto what was yesterday, you have to let it go and start fresh.

Sometimes people need this. We have been watching the series Lost on Netflix. In it there are those who have had difficulties. On the island where their plane has been wrecked with no hope of being rescued they realize each one of them has a new slate in which to begin. Those who did horrible things in civilization become someone totally different because they are not carrying the baggage of being bad with them anymore. Others decide they don't care and act as if the world owes them more. It is their choice though with this new way of living among strangers.

It is a comfort to know that God doesn't keep a record of our wrongs. God sees us as we truly can be. Now we can go out with this clean slate and be the best we can be with others. It doesn't matter what others think. It only matters how God sees us. Carry that into the world.