The Barren Fig-tree or The Doom and Downfall of the Fruitless Professor, by John Bunyan.

Luke:13 verse 6 to 10.

Then 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.

So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, For three years now Ive been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and havent found any.

Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?

Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year, and Ill dig around it and fertilize it.

If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.

The results of the fruit depend on your caring for the tree properly like following Jesus properly for eternal life.

Whenever we plant a fruit tree or even a runner bean we hope for fruitfulness.

I am not a great gardener but I do grow runner beans.

I am pleased to see the plant wind up the cane followed by a profusion of red blossom but what I await most eagerly are plump green beans.

I do not set the seed for either leaves or blossoms but for beans.

Jesus is the same.

As the vineyard owner expected figs from his fig-tree so Jesus expects fruit from those who profess to believe in him.