Luke 13:1-9 (ESV)

¹ There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” ⁶ And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷ And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ ⁸ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. ⁹ Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Some who were present while Jesus taught asked him about a recent event when Galileans were murdered as they prepared to offer their sacrifices. Apparently, these Galileans were approaching the temple and getting ready to make their offerings to the Lord when Pilate attacked them, and they died. Their blood was mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Those who asked may have wondered what Jesus thought about the incident or even questioned what he planned to do about it. Instead of giving a social and political message, Jesus used their interest in the event to turn their thoughts to God and their own relationships with him. Jesus responded to their question with another question. He asked them if they thought this happened to the Galileans because they deserved it. Maybe those present thought God was getting even with those Galileans for some hidden sin, which was a common belief in the time of Jesus. Before they could answer, Jesus responded by clarifying that the Galileans were not “worse sinners” than other Galileans. Jesus then explained that their untimely deaths should have reminded the audience that not only the Galileans but any of them could die at any time. Jesus asked those present about their own personal status before God. Had they repented? The response to Jesus that keeps anyone from the second death must include repentance and faith.

Jesus mentioned another example that they didn’t bring up. He asked about the eighteen who died when a tower collapsed at Siloam. Were they “worse sinners”? Again, they were not. But those eighteen should have been a continual reminder to all of the certainty of death. No one needs to worry about death if she has repented. Only those who have not placed their trust in Christ should be concerned about eternal death. Those present with Jesus needed to turn to him while there was still time. And the same is true for us. We all must repent and put our trust in Jesus. If we leave this planet without getting right with Jesus, nothing is left for us but eternal rejection. Stop and pray that God would use local, national, and even world tragedies to open the eyes of those around you to their need for repentance. May God redeem the many awful things that take place on our planet and use them to lead others to reconciliation with him.