Stories of the Kingdom: The Parables of JesusНамуна

Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree

In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells the parable of the unfruitful fig tree. He describes a man who plants a fig tree in his vineyard and comes looking for fruit on it for three years but finds none. He instructs the gardener to cut it down, as it wastes space. However, the gardener asks for one more year to cultivate the tree, promising to fertilize and care for it. It can be cut down if it still bears no fruit after that.

What role does grace play in the gardener's request for more time, and how does it relate to our understanding of God's mercy?