Luke 13:8-9 ” ‘Sir’, the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ “

In the Old Testament both the fig tree & the vineyard were symbols of Israel. (Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 8:13, Isaiah 5:1-7) In this Parable Jesus taught, the fig tree had been planted in the fertile soil of the owner’s vineyard, but for three years was barren…making the man think that this established tree would never produce fruit. So he instructed the vinedresser to, “Cut it down.” But the worker instead asked for patience & mercy for one more year that he might encourage & empower the tree’s fruitfulness. II Peter 3:9 tells us that Jesus came with compassion, patience, and mercy, not wanting anyone to perish. And Psalm 103:8-14 demonstrates this idea also, ” The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we were formed, He remembers that we are dust.”