Luke 13:1-5
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.”
Devotional
Assumption of guilt is a common err. And if we only judge by the externals the Old Testament Job, though declared blameless by the Lord, would be the worst of sinners. And that he was by his friends when they couldn’t explain his plight. Indeed the Lord Jesus’ own crucifixion, which was done by the will of God for the redemption of sinners, was initially judged by bystanders as if dying for some heinous crime. Yet the only crime being committed was His crucifixion, of which we all are guilty. Even Christ’s disciples initially felt that their hope was vanquished with that horrible scene on Calvary; that is until Christ’s resurrection and the glories that later followed. Far to often people link tragedy or misfortune with God’s unmitigated judgment. Here the Lord Jesus is told of a horrific crime committed against some worshippers from Galilee. The act itself is almost as unspeakable as it is barbarous. Pilate the then ruling governor is said to have mixed some Galilean worshippers blood with their sacrifices. This murderous act and sacrilege that followed surely reveals the true nature of Pilate. Yet the people who brought this news to Jesus seem to have judged the victims of his crime as being almost as hideous. As if tragedy and misfortune only befalls sinners or those deserving of it. Which Jesus quickly rebukes with His response. “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.”
Then Jesus as if anticipating their thoughts or not wanting the consequence of His Words to be lost immediately follows that with another incident familiar to them. 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.”
If Jesus Christ’s Words aren’t a fearful wake up call for us all they should be. Individuals and Nations are far to often lulled into complacency by their current state affairs until tragedy finds them. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote the churches:
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1-3
Therefore Jesus’ point is to reemphasize each and every person’s own need for repentance before God. That is what God requires of everyone, our repentance. For the Son of Man will come with truth, righteousness and justice and He will judge both individuals and nations (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 3:1-10). In that day profession of faith; “one nation under God” or “Lord; Lord” will mean nothing if it is not backed up with genuine repentance (Matt. 7:21-23) and faith (Mark 1:15). Therefore to die without Jesus Christ justifying one before God the Father would be no less tragic. For only genuine repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all others brings us into God’s salvation and thus eternal security and peace (John 14:27). The question then is have you turned your heart away from your sins and turned in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for God’s forgiveness? That is where it all starts. Confessing ones own sins before God then receiving by faith the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of them, then having received the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ doing works befitting of repentance (Acts 26:19-20; Eph. 2:8-10). There’s no better security then that.
All Scripture Quotations:
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982
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.”
Devotional
Assumption of guilt is a common err. And if we only judge by the externals the Old Testament Job, though declared blameless by the Lord, would be the worst of sinners. And that he was by his friends when they couldn’t explain his plight. Indeed the Lord Jesus’ own crucifixion, which was done by the will of God for the redemption of sinners, was initially judged by bystanders as if dying for some heinous crime. Yet the only crime being committed was His crucifixion, of which we all are guilty. Even Christ’s disciples initially felt that their hope was vanquished with that horrible scene on Calvary; that is until Christ’s resurrection and the glories that later followed. Far to often people link tragedy or misfortune with God’s unmitigated judgment. Here the Lord Jesus is told of a horrific crime committed against some worshippers from Galilee. The act itself is almost as unspeakable as it is barbarous. Pilate the then ruling governor is said to have mixed some Galilean worshippers blood with their sacrifices. This murderous act and sacrilege that followed surely reveals the true nature of Pilate. Yet the people who brought this news to Jesus seem to have judged the victims of his crime as being almost as hideous. As if tragedy and misfortune only befalls sinners or those deserving of it. Which Jesus quickly rebukes with His response. “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.”
Then Jesus as if anticipating their thoughts or not wanting the consequence of His Words to be lost immediately follows that with another incident familiar to them. 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.”
If Jesus Christ’s Words aren’t a fearful wake up call for us all they should be. Individuals and Nations are far to often lulled into complacency by their current state affairs until tragedy finds them. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote the churches:
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1-3
Therefore Jesus’ point is to reemphasize each and every person’s own need for repentance before God. That is what God requires of everyone, our repentance. For the Son of Man will come with truth, righteousness and justice and He will judge both individuals and nations (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 3:1-10). In that day profession of faith; “one nation under God” or “Lord; Lord” will mean nothing if it is not backed up with genuine repentance (Matt. 7:21-23) and faith (Mark 1:15). Therefore to die without Jesus Christ justifying one before God the Father would be no less tragic. For only genuine repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all others brings us into God’s salvation and thus eternal security and peace (John 14:27). The question then is have you turned your heart away from your sins and turned in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for God’s forgiveness? That is where it all starts. Confessing ones own sins before God then receiving by faith the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of them, then having received the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ doing works befitting of repentance (Acts 26:19-20; Eph. 2:8-10). There’s no better security then that.
All Scripture Quotations:
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982
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