Keith Sharp | Luke 13:1-9
As Jesus was teaching through Galilee for the last time, some told him about a group of Galileans who had gone to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and had been attacked by the Roman troops commanded by Pontius Pilate, causing their own blood to be mingled at the base of the altar with the blood of the animal sacrifices they had brought (verse 1; cf. Leviticus 4:27-30). The reply of the Lord indicates these peopled must have thought these tragic victims were worse sinners than others for having suffered so awful a fate (verse 2). They had the same conviction as Job’s friends (Job 4:7). In fact, even the Lord’s disciples so believed (John 9:1-2).
All suffering and death is the result of sin (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:16-24), but that doesn’t mean each individual disease, accident, calamity, or death is caused by the sin of the one who suffers. Since sin entered the world, suffering and death are the common lot of the descendants of Adam and Eve (1 Corinthians 15:22). Job suffered terribly, though he was “a blameless and upright man, one who” feared God and shunned evil (Job chapters 1 – 2). Some suffer because of their own sins, but some suffer for righteousness’ sake (Luke 23:39-41; Romans 1:26-27; John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). This sin cursed world is not fair, but the scales will be balanced after death (Luke 16:25; Revelation 6:9-11; 20:12-15; 21:1-5).
Thus, Christ responded, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-3). The Lord didn’t deny they were sinners. He just denied that their fate in this world proved they were any worse sinners than others. Christ added to their example that of the eighteen who were killed by the collapse of a tower at the pool of Siloam (Luke 13:4). Again, their tragedy didn’t prove they were any worse than the rest of the citizens of Jerusalem.
But while a tragic death cannot be used to pass judgment on the victim, it should be used as a warning of coming judgment. “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3,5). We have all sinned, and we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In all justice God could call the drama of human civilization to a halt, close the curtain, and cast us all into the lake of fire. Every untimely death is a dramatic warning to repent. We too face death. We too must meet our Maker. There’s no place for smug, self-righteousness; there’s only the call to repent or perish.
The Master taught a parable to illustrate the point (Luke 13:6-9). A landowner had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, a place where the soil was cultivated and suitable for producing figs. This was the third year the owner had come seeking fruit and had found none. Surely the tree had been given sufficient time to produce fruit. He commanded the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down, for it was using up the nutrients and moisture of the soil unprofitably. The keeper asked for another year to fertilize the tree and to see if it would produce. If not, it would be cut down.
The parable teaches both the longsuffering and the justice of God.
Christians are the recipients of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We have been forgiven of our sins (Ephesians 1:7) and have the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). We have peace and joy, along with the blessed privilege of prayer and the watchful care of our heavenly Father (Philippans 4:4,6-7; 1 Peter 3:12).
But we can’t just take up space in the kingdom of God, soaking up the rich, spiritual blessings, while producing no fruit. The Lord expects us to produce fruit for Him (John 15:8). We must produce good fruit (Matthew 12:33-35), the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” He expects us to seek to produce the fruit of saved souls (Romans 1:13).
If we have failed to produce the fruit He requires, the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But don’t presume on the longsuffering of God.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)
He may say, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you”! (Luke 12:20)
What should I learn from tragedies that befall others? I should learn not to judge the victims on the basis of the tragedies they suffer but to see the goodness and severity of God illustrated (Romans 11:22). I should see the goodness of God manifested in His longsuffering, because I’ve been given another day to bear fruit. But I should see the severity of God’s judgment if I fail to take advantage of this new opportunity He has graciously afforded me. Are you bearing fruit?
