6. Then Jesus used this illustration: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on the tree but didn’t find any.
7. He said to the gardener, ‘For the last three years I’ve come to look for figs on this fig tree but haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up ⌊good⌋ soil?’
8. “The gardener replied, ‘Sir, let it stand for one more year. I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
9. Maybe next year it’ll have figs. But if not, then cut it down.’ ”
10. Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the day of worship.
11. A woman who was possessed by a spirit was there. The spirit had disabled her for 18 years. She was hunched over and couldn’t stand up straight.
12. When Jesus saw her, he called her to come to him and said, “Woman, you are free from your disability.”
13. He placed his hands on her, and she immediately stood up straight and praised God.
14. The synagogue leader was irritated with Jesus for healing on the day of worship. The leader told the crowd, “There are six days when work can be done. So come on one of those days to be healed. Don’t come on the day of worship.”
15. The Lord said, “You hypocrites! Don’t each of you free your ox or donkey on the day of worship? Don’t you then take it out of its stall to give it some water to drink?
16. Now, here is a descendant of Abraham. Satan has kept her in this condition for 18 years. Isn’t it right to free her on the day of worship?”
17. As he said this, everyone who opposed him felt ashamed. But the entire crowd was happy about the miraculous things he was doing.
18. Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to?
19. It’s like a mustard seed that someone planted in a garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds nested in its branches.”
20. He asked again, “What can I compare the kingdom of God to?
21. It’s like yeast that a woman mixed into a large amount of flour until the yeast worked its way through all the dough.”
22. Then Jesus traveled and taught in one city and village after another on his way to Jerusalem.
23. Someone asked him, “Sir, are only a few people going to be saved?”He answered,