Read | Luke 13:1–9

Have you ever felt like your life isn’t producing much? Like you’re stuck? Or maybe you've looked at someone else's mess and thought, They probably brought that on themselves.

That’s exactly what’s happening in Luke 13.

People come to Jesus with tragic news—Pilate had murdered Galileans while they were worshiping. You can almost hear them asking, “Isn’t that judgment? Weren’t they worse sinners?”

But Jesus doesn’t take the bait. He turns the conversation:

“Do you think they were worse than you? Unless you repent, you will also perish.”

Then He doubles down—bringing up a tower that fell and killed eighteen people. Again: “Do you think they were worse sinners?”

Jesus isn't being cold. He’s getting to the root. We love to assign blame, especially when it helps us feel superior. But Jesus makes it personal: tragedy isn’t always judgment—but repentance is always necessary.

Then He tells a story about a fig tree that’s not producing fruit. After three years of disappointment, the owner says, Cut it down.

But the gardener speaks up:

“Let me care for it. Give it one more year. I’ll dig around it, fertilize it. Let’s see what happens.”

Jesus is that Gardener. He doesn’t give up on fruitless trees. He doesn’t give up on you.

Maybe you’re tired, stuck, or wondering if God’s done with you.

Or maybe you’ve been quick to write off someone else.

The truth is:

You were planted on purpose, for a purpose.

You’re not just here to take up space—you’re meant to bear fruit.

And even when you feel unproductive, Jesus is digging around your roots. He sees what’s still possible.

Reflection & Next Steps

• Who have you given up on? Ask God to give you fresh eyes and renewed patience for that person.
• Are you wasting time in any area of your life? What does it look like to live with more intention this week?
• What kind of fruit is God trying to grow in you right now? (Love? Patience? Courage? Self-control?)
• Where have you assumed someone’s pain was “deserved”? Ask God to soften your heart and show you how to respond with grace.

Prayer

God, thank You for fighting for me when I feel fruitless. Thank You for seeing potential in me when I can’t see it in myself. Help me live with purpose. Help me be patient with others. Cultivate my heart so that my life bears the kind of fruit that brings You joy. I don’t want to waste the time You’ve given me—help me use it well. Amen.

If you feel like the tree that hasn’t produced anything in a while—don’t lose hope.

Jesus hasn’t given up on you.

So don’t give up on yourself.

And don’t give up on them either.

Let God dig in. Let Him do the work. The fruit will come.