07.03 The pleading of Christ

III. THE PLEADING OF CHRIST

Why is it that God is so patient? It is because the Vine-dresser is pleading for the the barren fig-tree. The Son of Man, to Whom this poor, unworthy humanity has been committed, has identified Himself with the plants of the vineyard. He has covered them, as it were, with His own perfect obedience and correspondence to the Will of God. He has obtained the right to plead that they should be spared yet awhile, and any honest confession of our barrenness brings us within the protection of that prevailing plea. But we cannot, we dare not, presume upon that protection; we cannot ask the Vine-dresser to plead for us that we may yet be spared; unless we remember the very conditions of his plea that he may be allowed to take the tree in hand and work His will upon it. Then, and only then, if it bears fruit, well- but if not, it must be cut down. Our penitence must become surrender to His will that He may discipline and re-create us. It is only through growing and bearing fruit that we can attain the “assurance of salvation.” He Whom we plead as an Atonement for us must be accepted as the Master-spirit within us.

Only through daily submission to His influence can we begin at last to bear fruit and stand the scrutiny of God.

TAGS: [Parables]