Third Sunday in Lent (2025)

Scripture

Luke 13:1–9 NIV

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 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? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

Sermon

Let’s just be honest. This is a difficult passage of scripture. It’s difficult because this is the only reference in all of scripture regarding these two accounts. This event is only listed here in Luke. In fact, even commentators note there isn’t even any historical record of these events taking place. Yet, that does not exclude them from happening. In fact, at least the first account of the Galileans being slaughtered even as they offered their sacrifices falls in line with what is known about the character of Pilate.

But there seems to be a very real question here connected to these two events. One asked by those who come to find Jesus and one asked by Jesus Himself. And these questions center around a very real concern. Isn’t it true that those who do evil receive the wrath of God and those who are good receive His grace?

Now, again, Luke does not tell us why these individuals bring this question to Jesus. It may be a desire to know the answer, it may be that these who were there were also Galileans or it may be this group was once again trying to get Jesus to say something they might use against Him.

But they come with a story of how Pilate had slaughtered these Galileans as they were offering their sacrifices. To these the only thing that makes sense about this is that God used Pilate to bring punishment to these men who deserved it. Just like Job and his friends, they operated in a world that made sense because those who did good were blessed and those who did evil were punished.

And Jesus asks them, “do you think these were worse sinners than all the rest?” And then He tells them a similar story of eighteen people who died when a tower fell at Siloam. Now, Siloam was a town in Jerusalem and while Galileans were Jewish, they were seen by the Jews of Jerusalem and Judea as less “refined”. They were the “rural” Jews versus the “city” Jews. Aren’t you glad that sort of distinction doesn’t still take place today?

But to the question these people asked as well as the question Jesus, Himself, raises, the answer is no. Jesus says in verse 3 and verse 5, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish the same way.”

And then to these two comments, Jesus adds this parable. This tree has been planted in a special place and given special care. And it has had plenty of time to bear fruit, but it has not done so. And so the owner determines the tree should be cut down in order to make room for something that will be more fruitful. But the gardener requests the tree receive a little more time.

Together, these two examples along with the parable tell the same truth. Whether we want to believe it or not, God will punish those who reject Him. But God desires our repentance. A demonstration of repentance as expressed through the parable is a changed life and the bearing of fruit. The fact the gardener gets an extra year to help the tree bear fruit further demonstrates how patient God is with His creation. 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”