“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit”. This natural process reflects a spiritual process. It takes time and effort to maintain a tree and subsequently enjoy the result. Similarly, our spiritual fruit requires time and effort to maintain and grow. “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Our internal spiritual development is seen in the way we act.
Jesus could describe himself as the good shepherd, because his actions reflected that idea. Just as a good shepherd is willing to put the safety of the sheep above his own life, so Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself in order to protect the sheep that he led. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
As sheep, we must be familiar with the voice of safety, “I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father… there will be one flock, one shepherd”. It is up to us to be familiar with the voice of the true shepherd, to follow him, to find safety and rest and eternal salvation. Jesus says “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Maintaining our relationship to the good shepherd is like tending a fig tree, requiring a frequent and continual commitment.