Repent or Else you Will all Likewise Perish

Luke 13:1–9 NKJV

1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; 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 sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” 6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

There were some who were there at this time who brought to the attention of Jesus news of a recent incident. We don’t have a lot of information about this incident as it doesn’t appear to be recorded in any of the other histories of this time. Which may indicate that it was not a large number of people and or that this sort of thing happen on more than one occasion. What we do know historically is that this is characteristic of Pilate who was know to be a harsh and cruel ruler.

Most scholars agree that this must have been a situation where pilgrims from Galilee had travel to Jerusalem to to offer sacrifices, most likely at passover. They may have been associated with know zealots or they may have been mistaken for traitors or zealots and Pilate order that they be slaughtered while they were in the temple offering their sacrifices so that their blood mingled with the blood of the sacrifice. On top of the disregard for human life this his showed his lack of respect for the Jewish faith and desecrated the temple.

Understandably this would have caused a stir among the people and as people do it would have sparked a great deal of speculation and discussion. Particularly around the issue of why did God allow this to happen. This is of course the common question that is asked by God’s people when we see bad things happen to God people. It is even the argument that the world brings to us. If God is good and loving and if God is all powerful then why does God allow bad things to happen, why does God allow suffering.

As believers when we have tragedy strike or when we hear of another’s tragedy one of the common thoughts is that they must have committed some sin or done something to displease God and so He is punishing them. This was what Job’s friend speculated when he was under affliction.

We see that Jesus also comments on another tragedy which know to the people at that time.

Luke 13:4 NKJV

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

This too was an event that failed to make the historical headlines. Although it shouldn’t surprise as many things don’t make the history books. Non the less it was known to the people Jesus was speaking to at the time. Here 18 people were killed by a tower falling on them. perhaps an earthquake had cause it to fall but what ever the cause it fell on these people and Jesus uses this to support His point. Did these 18 do something to deserve death more than anyone else? to which Jesus responds no.

The reality is that we don’t know why exactly that tragedy hit one person and not another. Just that we cannot assume that they must deserve it because they are worse sinners than anyone else. But Jesus uses these to tragedy to make a very important point and to give us a warning.

Were they worse sinners than other men? no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

See the danger of thinking that God allows bad things to happen to people because the are worse sinners and they deserve it is that the reverse of that is that if I don’t have tragedy in my life then it because I don’t deserve it. I’m not a sinner or at least I’m not bad enough of a sinner to deserve the tragedy. See the question was not so much why did God let this happen to them but rather why them and not us. And that question in and of itself is not misguided. If fact we should ask why them and not us? But be careful how you answer that question. If our answer to that question ever leans towards because they deserved it and I don’t then Jesus warns us. Because it is this very kind of thinking that Jesus addresses here.

Notice Jesus doesn’t say that they are not sinners or that they don’t deserve punishment. No rather His statement is a leveling judgement. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So Jesus answers “but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Romans 3:9–18 NKJV

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

So if you are going through some affliction do not say to God this isn’t fair. To appeal to fairness is to appeal to justice. Never ask God for justice because justice is condemnation. And if your not going through some affliction and you see another going through affliction don’t think that God must be giving them what they deserve becasue that would imply that you don’t deserve the same and it would fail to acknowledge that you are living and breathing under the grace of God. Do not despise the long suffering of God, and do not take His grace for granted.

Jesus then give a parable to confirm His point.

Luke 13:6–9 NKJV

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

This parable operates as an immediate prophecy as well as a principle that applies universally.

The immediate prophecy

The fig tree represent God’s people Israel. What we could call the visible people of God. Israel as a nation had be grated a special position in God’s vineyard. But when God came to Israel He finds that they are not bearing fruit.

Luke 3:7–9 NKJV

7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Israel was showing no fruit of repentance, no fruit of righteous, no evidence that they are God’s people. Even with the Messiah ther among them, working miracles and teaching and yet they hardened their hearts and sought to kill Him. The vineyard owner said for three years I have come seeking fruit and found none. The three years is the time from John’s message to repent and the three years of the ministry of Jesus. So He says cut it down.

But Jesus (the vinedresser) says lets give it one more year, I will dig around it and fertilize it and after that if it still doesn’t bear fruit then you can cut it down. Jesus intercedes just as Moses did at Sini.

But they did not repent, they rather took the vinedresser and beat Him and crucified Him. And God laid the ax at the root and cut down those branches that did not bear fruit.

However, through the cross, God has made space in His vineyard. There is opportunity to be engrafted in. The same offer is made to us repent or you will all likewise parish. The warning of judgement becomes a message of hope.

The application of this principle taught in this parable is this. The visible church are all those who associate with the church. They are like the fig tree. You are here because of the grace of God. But He is coming to check if you are bearing fruit. If you don’t repent and bear fruit the grace of God is not indefinite. Eventually the ax will be laid to the root and every tree that doesn’t bear fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire. God gives you grace, don’t abuse it, don’t take the longsufffering of God for granted. His it gracious and He is longsuffering but there is a time limit and time is running out. Repent or else you will all likewise perish.