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(Audio)
Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
Jesus explained that the tragedy of suffering was not necessarily connected to anyone's particular individual sin. Not every instance of people dying unexpectedly was a repeat of the judgment on Sodom. In most cases the people involved are not any more guilty than anyone else, which is not to say innocent. But every instance of unexpected death can serve as a wake up call for the rest of us, lest we be caught unawares.
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Our guilt may not cause God to rain down judgment and smite us. But we nevertheless don't want to perish in our sin, even if we are no more guilty than everyone else. We are doubtlessly included among the "all" who have "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (see Romans 3:32) about whom Paul speaks. If we perish in this condition what might have otherwise been a momentary unexpected tragic event can potentially have eternal consequences. What Jesus was saying was not so much that we're mostly innocent as that we are all guilty to some degree and need to repent.
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
The gardener is watching, waiting, and working, to see the fig tree bear fruit. But the fact of the matter is that we must respond to his care, and there is a finite amount of time in which we may do so. We do not know precisely when our own tree will but cut down. But if we never grow up from a parasitic existence of exhausting the soil it will be cut down eventually. If we do begin to bear fruit, regularly and reliable, relying on the grace we receive from Jesus and the power of his Spirit, we can hope for something that is more like a transplant at the end of our earthly journey.
What does bearing fruit look like? It looks like receiving the grace "given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift" and using it to grow together in love "for building up the Body of Christ". We are warned by Paul against the potential obstacle of false doctrine that stems from "human trickery". This doctrine is tempting because it causes us to focus on ourselves rather than on our unity in Christ. But it is antithetical to bearing fruit as Christians. False doctrine prevents the possibility of "living the truth in love", since we can't do that without truth. But, grounded in solid doctrine, understanding it in a "mature" way allows us to "grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ". Then, at the end of our journey we may hope to fully express what the psalmist foresaw.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
Jesus explained that the tragedy of suffering was not necessarily connected to anyone's particular individual sin. Not every instance of people dying unexpectedly was a repeat of the judgment on Sodom. In most cases the people involved are not any more guilty than anyone else, which is not to say innocent. But every instance of unexpected death can serve as a wake up call for the rest of us, lest we be caught unawares.
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Our guilt may not cause God to rain down judgment and smite us. But we nevertheless don't want to perish in our sin, even if we are no more guilty than everyone else. We are doubtlessly included among the "all" who have "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (see Romans 3:32) about whom Paul speaks. If we perish in this condition what might have otherwise been a momentary unexpected tragic event can potentially have eternal consequences. What Jesus was saying was not so much that we're mostly innocent as that we are all guilty to some degree and need to repent.
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
The gardener is watching, waiting, and working, to see the fig tree bear fruit. But the fact of the matter is that we must respond to his care, and there is a finite amount of time in which we may do so. We do not know precisely when our own tree will but cut down. But if we never grow up from a parasitic existence of exhausting the soil it will be cut down eventually. If we do begin to bear fruit, regularly and reliable, relying on the grace we receive from Jesus and the power of his Spirit, we can hope for something that is more like a transplant at the end of our earthly journey.
What does bearing fruit look like? It looks like receiving the grace "given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift" and using it to grow together in love "for building up the Body of Christ". We are warned by Paul against the potential obstacle of false doctrine that stems from "human trickery". This doctrine is tempting because it causes us to focus on ourselves rather than on our unity in Christ. But it is antithetical to bearing fruit as Christians. False doctrine prevents the possibility of "living the truth in love", since we can't do that without truth. But, grounded in solid doctrine, understanding it in a "mature" way allows us to "grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ". Then, at the end of our journey we may hope to fully express what the psalmist foresaw.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
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