Luke 13:1-9

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Some people came to Jesus with a report about Galileans who had been killed by Pilate while they were offering sacrifices. We don’t know anything more about this tragedy. Jesus asked them a question that highlighted the general belief at the time, that tragedy like that was somehow deserved because of some sin the victims had committed. No, their tragedy wasn’t a direct result of a specific sin but the nation was heading for a similar disaster if they did not repent. Jesus pointed to another tragedy where a tower of Siloam fell on and killed eighteen. Again they did not die as a result of some greater sin than those who survived. But Jesus warned that if the nation didn’t repent, they would also perish. Jesus’ direct warning to the nation came to pass in A.D. 70 when Titus invaded Jerusalem. Jesus’ words are a warning to us. By God’s mercy, we don’t always receive the direct punishment our sin deserves. In God’s sovereignty, He sometimes allows tragedy to befall us that is unrelated to our personal sin but just a result of sin’s curse on the whole of creation. In His grace, God has made a way for us to escape the ultimate consequence of our sin—eternal punishment in hell. As we read this, we still have time to respond. If we delay, we have no idea when or if tragedy will befall us before it’s too late. Don’t wait. Jesus’ offer is open to you today.

Continuing in the discussion of Israel’s refusal to accept the kingdom, Jesus told a parable of a man with a fig tree that didn’t bear fruit. It hadn’t born fruit for three years and he was ready to cut it down so he could use the soil for something that would bear fruit. His vinedresser asked for another year so he could add manure and give it a last chance to bear fruit. The consensus was that if it didn’t bear fruit, then it could be cut down. Israel was that tree that had plenty of time to bear the fruit of repentance. Jesus had been among them ministering for three years and in His fourth year, they completed their rejection and crucified Him. Their fate came in A.D 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed and the nation scattered. God also expects fruit from believers. Are you a useful and fruitful tree in God’s garden or are you just taking up space that could be used for something productive? Thankfully in His mercy, God is patient and long-suffering, but our love and gratitude to Him should be moving us to live fruitful lives for Him.


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