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Christ’s Object Lessons
Christ to denounce these men as sinners above others. Great was their
surprise at His answer.
Turning to the multitude, the Saviour said, “Suppose ye that these
Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered
such things? I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.” These startling calamities were designed to lead them to hum-
ble their hearts, and to repent of their sins. The storm of vengeance
was gathering, which was soon to burst upon all who had not found a
refuge in Christ.
As Jesus talked with the disciples and the multitude, He looked
forward with prophetic glance and saw Jerusalem besieged with armies.
He heard the tramp of the aliens marching against the chosen city and
saw the thousands upon thousands perishing in the siege. Many of the
Jews were, like those Galileans, slain in the temple courts, in the very
act of offering sacrifice. The calamities that had fallen upon individuals
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were warnings from God to a nation equally guilty. “Except ye repent,”
said Jesus,“ye shall all likewise perish.” For a little time the day of
probation lingered for them. There was still time for them to know the
things that belonged to their peace.
“A certain man,” He continued, “had a fig-tree planted in his vine-
yard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then
said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I
come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground?”
Christ’s hearers could not misunderstand the application of His
words. David had sung of Israel as the vine brought out of Egypt.
Isaiah had written, “The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house
of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant.”
Isaiah 5:7
. The
generation to whom the Saviour had come were represented by the fig
tree in the Lord’s vineyard—within the circle of His special care and
blessing.
God’s purpose toward His people, and the glorious possibilities
before them, had been set forth in the beautiful words, “That they
might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that
He might be glorified,”
Isaiah 61:3
. The dying Jacob, under the Spirit
of inspiration, had said of his best-loved son, “Joseph is a fruitful
bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the
wall.” And he said, “The God of thy Father” “shall help thee,” the