What Shall We Do Unto the Tree?

The Lord of the vineyard asked six questions to His servant throughout the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees in Jacob 5, and I think they are instructive for us as we seek to help others who struggle in the gospel. As they considered the bad fruit that had grown on the tree even after nourishing it a long time, the Lord of the vineyard questioned, “What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit thereof unto mine own self?” (v33) I think this is an important question for each of us as we seek to serve others in the kingdom of God—what can we do more to serve? The question underscores a humility that there is more for us to do individually, and it is inward facing instead of seeking to find fault in others. Four of the other questions from the Lord of the vineyard are similarly focused on His own actions as He reflected on what He had done. He asked, “What could I have done more for my vineyard?” (v41) This is reminiscent of what the apostles said to Jesus when they found out that one would betray Him: “Lord, is it I?” The question highlights the meekness of the apostles who were willing to look inward instead of pointing fingers at others. The Lord of the vineyard similarly asked, “But what could I have done more in my vineyard?” (v47) Again, he focused on what He had been doing in the vineyard, and He introspectively continued, “Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it?” (v47) As those whom we love and serve struggle spiritually, we should reflect on our own actions and what we have done or can do before all else. After reflecting on how He had nourished and digged and pruned and dunged the tree, He asked once more, “What could I have done more for my vineyard?” (v49) Of course the Lord of the vineyard had worked perfectly to bring forth the good fruit in the vineyard, but for each of us surely the answer to that question will be something specific that we can indeed do more. All of these questions highlight how we should focus first and foremost on our own actions and how we can change to help with challenges and struggles of others. In the end, that is all that is in our control.  

                Only one question of the Lord of the vineyard was pointed towards others. After reviewing carefully all that He had done to save the vineyard, He finally asked this question: “Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?” (v47) Interestingly, the servant answered this question as if He had asked what has corrupted the vineyard: “And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?” There was not a single person that had corrupted the vineyard but rather it was pride that had done it. The servant highlighted how the trees were still good at their roots, but pride had prevented the good fruit from growing, and so as they went back to work a final time they sought to preserve those roots and cultivate them to finally bring forth the fruit: “And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take strength because of their goodness; and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil” (v59). And so, after we have reflected on what we can do personally to help others through their challenges of faith, we might look to how we can help the roots take strength to someday bring forth fruit again. In other words, those who once had the light of the gospel burning brightly with them, will have roots of gospel testimony deep down, even if no more fruit comes from them. As we strive to help them, we should work to help those roots be revitalized again and gain strength.

                All of these questions from the Lord of the vineyard are instructive to help us focus on how we can serve and aid others to bring forth the fruit of the gospel that once was there. Ultimately we know that He is the Lord of the vineyard and this is His harvest, and so while we do all that we can, we continue to patiently wait on Him. We know that in the end, just as in the allegory, His hand will be revealed in our life and in the lives of those we love, and He will bring forth the good fruit.