1. Repent or perish (1-5)

Jesus was talking with some people about some tragic current events. They thought that misfortunes happened to people because they were sinners and needed punishment more than others. But Jesus did not see things according to a fatalistic law of cause and effect. Every person has sinned and everyone needs to repent, for the wages of sin is death. Unless you and I repent, we will perish.

2. The unfruitful fig tree (6-9)

Jesus explained what repentance is with a parable about a fig tree in a vineyard. The vineyard owner wanted fruit not only from the vineyard, but also from the fig tree. A fruitless tree should be cut down. The farmer repented his neglect of the fig tree and begged the owner to give it another chance. God wants fruit. If our lives are rooted in Christ and we are disciplined by his word, we will be fruitful.

Application: Lord, give me a repentant heart. Forgive my sins and make me fruitful.
One Word: Repent and be fruitful