Luke 13:1-9

REPENT OR PERISH

Keywords 13:3

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

1. Two tragedies (1-5)

People in Jesus’ time (and ours too) believed that tragedy befell people because of sin. (ex. Jn 9:2) Two examples are noted here that Jesus uses to teach us to turn to God and repent. Pilate had killed some Galileans and mixed their blood with their sacrifices. A large tower in the town of Siloam fell, killing 18 men. These tragedies didn’t happen because these people were worse sinners than others. Tragedies happen on a regular basis, and not only to the worst of sinners. Jesus died a horrible death and he was sinless. Our response to tragedies shouldn’t be to ask what kind of sinner the victims were, but to turn to God and repent.

 

2. The parable of the fig tree (6-9)

Fig trees are supposed to bear fruit. When they do not bear any fruit, they might as well be cut down. In the parable, God is the planter, we are the fig tree and Jesus the caretaker. We are meant to bear fruit to God. If we don’t bear fruit, we will be judged. Thank God for Jesus who intercedes for us with the Father and helps us so we can bear fruit.

Prayer Lord, Jesus teaches that we must repent or perish. We can only bear fruit when we repent. Help us repent and bear fruit to you through Jesus Christ.

One Word Repent and bear fruit