The recent devastation in Haiti has not only shocked the world; with its scenes of desolation, which though deeply distressing, have stirred up one of the largest humanitarian relief efforts seen in recent memory. For those nations, NGO’s and individuals who are committing not only resources, but segments of their lives to this most pressing need, we are all truly grateful. The outpouring of generosity and compassion shown by both Christian and non-Christian alike is truly heartwarming.
Now in light of growing cataclysmic climatic events around the globe one is tempted to speculate on the Lord’s return. For the Lord Jesus said as the end draws near, these kinds of events will increase, both in number and in severity. Yet knowing that was not His point, rather that we should all be prepared. Since truly no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus Christ's return. We can then miss God’s call to us to be ready by speculating about these kinds of things, and thus never truly come to a saving knowledge of God, or even put that knowledge of God into practical use. Therefore throughout the gospels, Jesus warns us over and over again, to be ready for either His Second Coming, or our going to stand before Him and be judged by Him (Matt. 24:36-51, 25:1-46; Luke 12:13-21, 13:1-5; 23-30; 35-48, 14:15-24, 16:9-12; 19-31 etc.). Now this being prepared begins by having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, for that is the only way into the Kingdom of God (John 14:6). By having a grace based relationship with God the Father through Christ the Son (Eph. 2:8-9). Everything else then that is done in Christ's Name, is in reality, just an outworking of one's relationship with Jesus Christ and His life working in and through us (Gal. 2:21). Good works then are not a means to salvation, but are the fruits of it. And thus our faith in Jesus Christ is largely exemplified, and will be eternally rewarded, by the use of our talents and resources here and now; both inside and outside the house of faith. 45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 “Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 “and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 “the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 “and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. 24:45-51
Now in the thirteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus gives a brief exposition on two horrific events that had recently taken place in Jerusalem. His point though was not to point the finger at those whom tragedy befalls, but to point us to God, and our need to get right with Him while we can. For to die whether by tragedy, or just natural causes, and not be to God the Father, is to suffer the greatest and most agonizing tragedy of all. In the first instance, Pilate the then ruling governor; had desecrated the Jews sacrifices at the Temple by mixing the blood of the Galileans he murdered with it. Now this crime was viewed by those non-Galilean Jews who heard of it, as an act of judgment on those particular Galileans. Yet Jesus’ response to their news about these Galilean worshippers death’s at the hand of Pilate is quick and to the point. “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.” Luke 13:2-3
Now Jesus follows up that by immediately recalling an event that was familiar to them, saying: 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.” Luke 13:4-5
Again a tragic event, yet unlike the first which was an act of an evil man, this is an act of God, or so it is assumed by those who were familiar with it as a judgment against those eighteen. Yet Jesus in His use of it makes it clear that this tragic event, like the first, is not due to these individuals being worse sinners than anyone else in Jerusalem. Instead He again makes it clear: 5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5
Again Jesus’ rebuke of those who brought Him news of Pilate’s heinous crime clearly demonstrates that assuming another’s guilt based on their lives circumstances is simply a dangerous presumption, not only of God’s dealings with the parities in question, but also one’s own standing before Him (See Luke 18:9-14).
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Now in light of growing cataclysmic climatic events around the globe one is tempted to speculate on the Lord’s return. For the Lord Jesus said as the end draws near, these kinds of events will increase, both in number and in severity. Yet knowing that was not His point, rather that we should all be prepared. Since truly no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus Christ's return. We can then miss God’s call to us to be ready by speculating about these kinds of things, and thus never truly come to a saving knowledge of God, or even put that knowledge of God into practical use. Therefore throughout the gospels, Jesus warns us over and over again, to be ready for either His Second Coming, or our going to stand before Him and be judged by Him (Matt. 24:36-51, 25:1-46; Luke 12:13-21, 13:1-5; 23-30; 35-48, 14:15-24, 16:9-12; 19-31 etc.). Now this being prepared begins by having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, for that is the only way into the Kingdom of God (John 14:6). By having a grace based relationship with God the Father through Christ the Son (Eph. 2:8-9). Everything else then that is done in Christ's Name, is in reality, just an outworking of one's relationship with Jesus Christ and His life working in and through us (Gal. 2:21). Good works then are not a means to salvation, but are the fruits of it. And thus our faith in Jesus Christ is largely exemplified, and will be eternally rewarded, by the use of our talents and resources here and now; both inside and outside the house of faith. 45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 “Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 “and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 “the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 “and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. 24:45-51
Now in the thirteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus gives a brief exposition on two horrific events that had recently taken place in Jerusalem. His point though was not to point the finger at those whom tragedy befalls, but to point us to God, and our need to get right with Him while we can. For to die whether by tragedy, or just natural causes, and not be to God the Father, is to suffer the greatest and most agonizing tragedy of all. In the first instance, Pilate the then ruling governor; had desecrated the Jews sacrifices at the Temple by mixing the blood of the Galileans he murdered with it. Now this crime was viewed by those non-Galilean Jews who heard of it, as an act of judgment on those particular Galileans. Yet Jesus’ response to their news about these Galilean worshippers death’s at the hand of Pilate is quick and to the point. “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.” Luke 13:2-3
Now Jesus follows up that by immediately recalling an event that was familiar to them, saying: 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.” Luke 13:4-5
Again a tragic event, yet unlike the first which was an act of an evil man, this is an act of God, or so it is assumed by those who were familiar with it as a judgment against those eighteen. Yet Jesus in His use of it makes it clear that this tragic event, like the first, is not due to these individuals being worse sinners than anyone else in Jerusalem. Instead He again makes it clear: 5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5
Again Jesus’ rebuke of those who brought Him news of Pilate’s heinous crime clearly demonstrates that assuming another’s guilt based on their lives circumstances is simply a dangerous presumption, not only of God’s dealings with the parities in question, but also one’s own standing before Him (See Luke 18:9-14).
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
