The Barren Fig Tree

Why do bad things happen?

It was in the face of questions such as this one that Christ seizes the opportunity to show us the fate that awaits everyone who doesn’t follow Him.

Luke 13:1-9

V.1-3

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

When it comes to tragedies, we have a few mistaken perspectives that permeate through our thinking.

First, people often think that when people have something horrific happen to them, that they did something to bring it upon themselves.

The example we have here presented to Jesus was a group of Galileans were murdered by Pontius Pilate and had there blood mixed with the sacrifices they were offering.

This is especially heinous as it violates the purity of their sacrifices, while also killing seemingly innocent people.

Jesus when being told of this event, takes the initiative to correct the idea that suffering was directly linked to sin.

Instead of validating the people who told him of the tragedy, He spins it back on them and questions if they think they are more holy than those who had perished.

He follows this with an indictment on all people, that they will perish just as those who were killed unless they repent.

So the question is did Jesus mean that they were going to die in the same manner?

Obviously this is not the case, but instead what He was saying is that all people will die. We all have but a limited time here on earth, and unless we repent of our sin we will face eternal death.

This is to be feared, for it is not that we cease to exist, but instead if we die unrepentant we will spend eternity in Hell.

So, Jesus addresses the notion that suffering comes on people due to their sin.

Jesus provides another example to further drive this idea home.

V.4-5

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.”

Jesus points to an example of a well known tragedy where 18 people perished.

The people of this day would have assumed that there was some form of moral failure that led to their deaths.

Jesus strikes this down and tells them that they were no more deserving of death than everyone else in Jerusalem. (this even includes the religious leaders)

Everyone that has ever lived is deserving of death and God’s wrath.

This strikes the second misconception that is more common with the modern mind.

When tragedy happens, people today might ask, “How could God let that happen?”

There are truly horrible things that happen in this world, but if we fall into the mistake of trying to blame or hate God for things that happen, then we show that we don’t really understand who we are in comparison to Him.

This is what Jesus is pointing out to the people. All people are sinners, all deserve punishment. Every breath is a gift of mercy, and unless we repent we will perish.

So what does it mean to repent?

Confession of sin to God.

Contrition or sorry over sin, specifically sorrow over breaking God’s law.

Change- we begin to leave our sin behind and be obedient to God. We bear fruit.

Without true repentance we will perish, for we have all earned God’s wrath.

Luke, Volumes 1 & 2 A Tragic Accident

No one can make the choice any clearer than Jesus made it. If we truly repent—making a full confession of our sin, with genuine sorrow and a sincere determination to follow Jesus—God will forgive all our sins. On the basis of the death that Jesus died on the cross, he will grant us a full pardon. But if we do not repent—if we hold on to our sins, not confessing what we have done, not being sorry for it, and not changing our ways—we will never be forgiven.

To solidify this notion of the need of repentance Jesus provides a parable.

V.6-9

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.’ ”

Jesus speaks of a man who owned a vineyard who came to a tree that after three years does not bear fruit.

This is the expectation on believers as well.

If we are members of God’s kingdom, a part of the true vine, then we are to be bearing fruit.

This expectation isn’t how we earn God’s love, but is instead proof that we belong to Him.

Changed heart leads to a changed life.

So the question is, does your life demonstrate fruit? Is their repentance in your life?

Are you growing in your faith, trying to leave behind sin?

Discussion Questions:

What do you think it means for Christians to kill sin in their life? How are some ways we do that?

Read Gal 5:22-23. Which fruits do you think God has been building up in you? Which ones do you find yourself lacking in?