3rd Lent March 23,2025

The Urgency of Repentance: A Call to Change

Bible Passage: Luke 13:1–17

This morning’s reflection,

Focus on the urgency of repentance God’s Mercy and God

There is an urgency of repentance..

Through the stories of the Galilean's and the tower incident, Jesus emphasis the need for repentance - not judgment of the victims.

It was a common belief in their culture that such events only happened to sinners. In response to those who were asking questions, Jesus takes the focus off of the ones who died but rather to them (and us) One never knows when a disaster will happen. Having recently witnessed deadly tornadoes in our region, we are aware how quickly our life can end. Helicopters can crash engulfing the medical team by fire. Our lives can change in a blink of an eye. When such tragic occur it should be a sign for us to do some reflection. What if we die today, are we in right relationship with our maker? Are we harboring unforgiveness or bitterness or anything that damages our soul in the eyes of God?

Let the account prompt us to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us anything that we need to repent of.

Repentance… brings fresh and renewed life. Holding on to sin smothers the soul.

Let’s pause and look at this from a spiritual aspect. As tragic as physical death is… a spiritual death is worse. People experience spiritual death when they intentionally and continually choose to ignore the way of the Lord.

“ the walking dead” who have chosen not to heed God’s life giving words and come to a point they can no longer even hear him.

Jesus told the audience, unless you repent you will like wise perish. The consequence of inaction would cause one to like wise perish perhaps not physically but certainly spiritually.

“The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord -Romans 6:23)

God is slow to anger full of mercy and compassion but their are consequences to our in action.

2. Patience with Purpose

Luke 13:6-9

The parable of the barren fig tree turns our attention to God’s patient mercy. Jesus shows that God gives us time to change and bear fruit, indicating His desire for our spiritual growth. In this illustration Jesus shows us that God gives us time to change and bear fruit. Biblically, the fruit of true repentance is a changed life, demonstrating a transformed heart and mind through actions, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.  This should assure us that despite past failures, renewed effort and repentance can lead to transformation. Comfort comes from knowing our God is patient with us but this must not cause us to ignore the urgency of repentance while time still permits.

but make no mistake, just as the tender of the tree is given 1 year to bear fruit - if there is no evidence of fruit - it will be chopped down. God has limits.

3. Prioritizing Healing

Luke 13:10-17

So how does repentance, God’s pateince and mercy given so to produce good fruit play out? Let’s take a look at the main characters in the synagogue. The Woman, The synagogue leader and Jesus. Whose behavior reflect the fruit of the Spirit? Which one can you identify with?

While Jesus was about the business of teaching in one of the synagogues, Jesus noticed one in the congregation. She was one who had been bound and bent over in disability for 18 years! He saw her. He called her to himself and He spoke to her. He laid hands on her and immediately she was made straight. Her first responce was to glorify GOD! Jesus called to her and she came, was healed and praised God.

Notice the response of the synagogue leader. Nothing short of a miracle has just occurred to a fellow human being and a fellow child of Abraham and and he responds with indignation. A tradition had been broken - and rather than speak to Jesus directly he speaks to the witnesses. Jesus quickly addressed the leader directly naming his hypocrisy. He points out that he has more compassion for an animal than for a human being. Is the leader showing us fruits of repentance.. showing any compassion?

. Jesus healing on the Sabbath to illustrate that true repentance and following Christ are not about rigid rules but about love and restoration. Jesus demonstrates the Kingdom’s priority on healing and wholeness, teaching that the Sabbath is about life-giving acts. By aligning our lives with Jesus, we experience grace that changes everything, helping us to bear fruit as seen in how the healed woman rejoices. .

Let’s make this illustration a bit more personal. The sin we continue to hold onto cripples us just like the woman had been crippled and bend over. Satan had her bound for that many years unable to enjoy the life God offers to the fullest. Sin does the same thing to us. There are around us who have held on to their sin which keeps them bound to Satan.

The call of Jesus is the same to us as it was to the original participants and audiences of these stories. Repent. He will give you the time and environment to grow spiritually. He sees you. He is calling you to himself, He will speak to your need. He will reach out to you and heal your need - no matter how long you have been dealing with it.

Application: Repentance is not merely an act of confession but a transformative lifestyle. It urges believers to examine their hearts and align their lives more closely with God's will, also encouraging those who feel burdened by sin to embrace God’s grace and healing.