27Mar
Some of Jesus' disciples were shocked to hear that Pilate had ordered a group of Galileans to their death while they were offering sacrifices. The tone of their discussion about that tragedy solicited this response from Jesus, 2“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:2–5 (NIV)
The word on the street was, “Do good, get good. Do bad, get bad.” It is easy to see from Jesus’ response that this kind of thinking was behind the disciples’ conclusions. Is it universally true that bad things happen because we have done evil and when we do well, good things happen?
How would Jesus answer the question, “Do bad things always happen as punishment and good things as a reward?” Jesus would answer no! His “But unless you repent…” response allows that sometimes bad is the result of a judgement, while the rest of his statement indicates, “Sometimes things just happen.”
I may think I know that something terrible that happened to me was God giving me a head slap. However, it would be a rare occasion for me to hazard that judgment for someone else. On all occasions, I am to be doing a self-analysis. And self-analysis is the core of Jesus' response. Jesus then offered a parable that is teaching us all to self-direct toward God-honoring fruitfulness. During this pandemic, we certainly have no business passing judgment on who gets sick! Instead, we should pray that all people look to Jesus!
A Favor: Locate Family Bible Church of Oak Harbor on YouTube. The one on top has me being interviewed, but that is not our YouTube. You may have to scroll down about five clicks until you find our letterhead. Please “subscribe.” That will make it easier for you to find it and when we get 100 subscribers, we will get pushed up toward the top! Thanks!!
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