God Gives Second Chances (Luke 13:6-9)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
13 August 2023
A certain man committed an offence. The judge gave him a warning and let him go. The man committed another offence and the judge again let him go but with a clear warning that he, the judge, did not want to see the man in court again. The judge gave the man a second chance.
The parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 is about second chances, i.e., God mercifully gives to people a second chance.
In the parable the owner of the vineyard has spent time and energy in caring for his fig tree. He expected some fruit. But the tree is barren. The owner has every right to cut down the tree.
God our Creator has put us on earth. He expects godly fruit. If there is none he may justifiably cast us aside.
In the parable the saviour of the situation is the gardener who pleads with the owner for more time. He, the gardener, would care for the fig tree and if after time the fig tree does not bear fruit the owner may cut it down.
The gardener is a picture of Jesus Christ. He pleads for his people before God the heavenly Father. The gardener works to save the barren fig tree. Jesus works to save barren lives. The gardener stakes everything on the success of his labour. Jesus stakes everything on the efficacy of his saving work.
The lesson is clear: through the intercession of the gardener (who is Jesus), God mercifully gives fruitless people a second chance.
Consider some Biblical instances of people who were given a second chance.
Jonah ran away from doing God's work but God brought him back to obedience.
David committed adultery and murder but God dealt with him and he repented.
Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus but he was given a second chance when he believed.
Peter denied Jesus but Jesus came to him and gave him a second chance.
Consider Adam and Eve. Were they given a second chance?
There is inferential evidence that our first parents were shown mercy by God.
God clothed them to cover their shame. Their own efforts to clothe themselves were ineffective. It took God to clothe them with coverings of righteousness. God clothed them in a way acceptable to God. He clothed them with garments of righteousness.
God drove the couple out of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. This ban would prevent the couple from eating from the tree of life whereby they would live forever in a fallen state. This ban was surely a ban of mercy. Adam and Eve were given a second chance.
Furthermore, there would be enmity between the devil and the woman. Enmity can only exist between opposing sides. Eve was on God’s side.
When Eve gave birth to her firstborn she explained to Adam she had given birth to a man. Eve was excited by the birth of what she thought was the promised seed to bruise the head of Satan. She longed for redemption. She and her husband were given a second chance.
Give thanks that God is merciful and he gives us a second chance. Whatever wrongs you have done, you will not be cut down if Jesus is your Mediator.