Parable of Three Trees

Parable of Three Trees
There was once in a certain garden three fruit trees. All three trees were planted by the same gardener and given the same care in their planting.  Each received the same amount of sunlight and water and all three were
planted in the best of soils. Yet, all three trees grew very differently from each other.

The first tree grew quickly and flowered, bringing forth an abundance of fruit in its first year. Everyone who passed by was amazed at the rapid growth of the tree and all the good and beautiful fruits it produced.
Tragically, however, when the seasons’ first storms arrived the tree was found uprooted, blown over in the wind. The tree that had appeared so strong and healthy was now revealed in its entirety by the wind. All it’s
strength and energies had gone into its branches and fruit, but it’s roots were shallow and week leaving it vulnerable to the strong winds which sometimes pass through the garden. The once beautiful tree now lay on
the ground, it’s abundance of fruit rotten and it’s trunk and branches cut up to be burned.

The second tree grew very differently from the first. It seemed to grow much slower than the first tree and produced very little fruit it’s first year. Yet, it’s roots were deep and extensive, so much so that it’s roots spread out into other parts of the garden. It easily withstood the seasonal storms
and even seemed to grow deeper and stronger in its position. The years passed and the tree continued to grow stronger, sending it’s roots further and deeper, yet, the tree still produced little or no fruit at all. Rather, it began to send up new shoots and sprigs from it’s elaborate root system. So many new shoots and sprigs began to grow from this tree that they actually began to choke out the younger trees in the garden, depriving them of light and water. The gardener would faithfully prune these outgrowths every year hoping that the tree would begin to grow fruit. Yet, every year the branches remained barren and the offshoots grew thicker and more abundantly than before. Finally the gardener cut down the tree and dug out all its roots. For it was not only a worthless tree, but was harming the other trees in the garden. This tree, like the first, was in the end good for nothing, but to be burned.

Then there was the third tree. On first appearance, it seemed very similar to the second tree for it grew slowly and seemed to be sending its roots deep into the soil. Unlike the second tree, however, it also spread forth it’s branches, and flowers and fruit were found on it even in the first year. Although it’s growth was slow, it was strong and consistent. It too, was able to withstand the storms that swept through the garden, for yearly it’s roots grew stronger and deeper. Like the second tree, it would also send forth new shoots and outgrowths from its roots and the gardener would prune them back along with any branches that did not bear fruit, unlike the second tree, however, it would abandon those parts that had been pruned and send forth new growth in its branches, including blossoms and fruit.
Every year the tree would grow, and every year the gardener would prune it back. Yet with each pruning came new growth and the tree flourished so that in time, it’s blossoms and fruit even exceeded that of the first tree. As the tree aged it became more and more beautiful and its’ fruit became more abundant and sweeter. It’s roots were deep and strong protecting it from the droughts of summer and the storms of winter, but most importantly the tree entrusted itself into the hands of the gardener who directed it in the
way it should grow. Now among the three trees that had been planted in the garden, only one remained. It had learned the importance of sound, deep roots to withstand the storms of life. More importantly, it learned not to resist the gardener, but to allow its’ roots and branches to be molded and formed by his hands.
Finally, the tree had learned the importance of bearing much fruit, for in so doing it was a blessing to all those who passed through the garden and in so doing the gardener was glorified, not to mention well pleased.

Explanation of the parable of the three trees.
The garden is the church and the gardener is God. The three trees represent three types of people and how they respond to the Word of God and God’s guidance in their lives. The Word of God is represented by the
sun, light and water all of which the trees had equal access to. The roots of the trees stood for sound doctrine and the knowledge of God while the fruit represented good works and an out-flowing of God’s goodness to others. The basic theme of the parable is to show the dangers of producing fruit without sound doctrine and the equal danger of having sound doctrine, yet bearing no fruit. The third tree showed the proper balance between the two, along with its desire to be yielded to the gardener.

The first tree is like many in the church, that when they first hear the gospel their lives are completely changed and transformed. They are full of zeal for the things of God and can be found at every service and church activity. Every time they speak they utter forth the wonders and mercy of God and everyone who sees them is amazed at the rapid growth in their lives. All too often, however, these people are carried by their feelings and emotions. They do well and flourish until hard times and trials come. These are the strong winds which pass through the garden. All their time and energies have been spent in Godly activities to the neglect of deepening their understanding of God’s word and His will. They have no spiritual depth for everything is on the surface. This leaves them in great danger when trials come or they are confronted with false doctrines or vain philosophies. When no spiritual roots are developed these strong winds can topple them, leaving them disillusioned and withered as quickly as they grew.

The second type of tree represents those who are more scholarly in nature and can often be found in “Christian” schools or universities. These people usually come from “Christian homes” where they have had access to, and training in God’s word for many years. From the outside, their lives seem very consistent and uneventful; neither committing any gross sins or exhibiting any zeal for the things of God. None the less, they continue to study seeking out the great theological mysteries and searching out the various schools of dogma. Their studies take them far and wide just like the tree whose roots spread into other parts of the garden. Their studies provides them with endless facts for speculation and debate yet little or none of their knowledge is used to spur on good works and to produce those spiritual fruits which are a blessing to others and glorifying to God. Not only do their theological studies prove fruitless in their own lives, but when they begin to expound their profundities to those around them, they can easily confuse, mislead and discourage those around them. This especially is true when they infect the minds of the younger trees, which are new believers, who are in need of the milk of the Word, rather than indigestible chunks of meat. God often deals strongly with these people trying to change their focus from their vain studies to rendering themselves in service to Him. Many, however, disregard the pruning which take place in their lives and continue to pursue their vain studies and speculations to their own hurt and to the harm of others. In time these trees will also be removed for God desires not only knowledge, but also good works. Consider the admonition of James that “faith without works is dead”.

Finally the third tree represents the type of believer God desires us all to be. Planted firmly in His Word, God desires that we grown in knowledge of Him and His will. Consider Paul’s admonition and advice to Timothy, “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”. II Timothy 3:16-17.
Unlike the second tree that studied for debate and speculation, the Godly tree studied for application that he night produce good fruit for good works. When the hard times and trials came this tree was well grounded and when the winds of false doctrines and change passed through the garden, he was unmoved. Deep roots must be established along with the bearing of fruit.

In John 15, Christ tells us that if we abide in Him we will bear fruit, yet even those that bear fruit will be pruned. This is not for punishment or oppression, but God prunes us so that we will bear even more fruit. This is where the third tree held the key to its’ growth for it willingly gave up those parts the gardener cut away and yielded itself into the guiding hands of the gardener.

May we all be yielded to the gardener like the third tree, letting go of those parts that God has taken from us. May we send our roots deep into His Word that we may be satisfied in times of drought and stand firm against the strong winds of spiritual oppression. May our branches also be broad and full providing shade and comfort, but may they also be full of fruit that they may bless all who pass by. For the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control.
Galatians 5

“Herein is my Father glorified that you bare much fruit: John 15: 8

Psalm 1
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate day and night, and He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth His fruit in His season. His leaf also shall not wither and what so ever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so but are as the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, not sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, the the way of the ungodly shall perish.