13 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”
6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”
Luke 13:1-9
Dear God, Jesus was teaching something important here. It actually kind of relates to the parable of the wheat and the weeds. There will be time to repent, but the clock is ticking. And there will be a sorting at the end of the age. I’d love to believe that no one suffers separation from you in the long run–especially relatives and friends whom I love. But there’s really not much of a way around it. We will be sorted by you and your angels one day. But I have to say. That’s not why I’m here this morning. I’m not typing this prayer to you so that I’ll make the cut line at the end of time. No, I’m here because I need you. I need this relationship. You make me a better man. Knowing you, worshipping you, and loving you is good for me. Learning from you and resting in you is good for me. You’re the creator. I’m the created. I need you in order for me to be whole.
I’d like to think that Jesus continually having to come back to this idea that people who suffer aren’t necessarily worse sinners than people who don’t suffer is a way of him addressing the disciples’ immature, ancient theological perspective. I’d like to look down on them and consider myself more evolved than them, but the truth is that it’s easy to fall into that trap. Look at all of the prosperity gospel teachers today and how successful they are. Look at all of the people I’ve judged or who have judged me when things have gone wrong. “It must be something they did.” Or, “It must be something I did.” The truth is, sometimes life just happens.
Father, thank you for giving me long enough to repent and bear fruit. Help me to invite others to connect their branches to your vine. Help me to know how to inspire them. Use me in their lives. I’m about to spend some time with strangers this morning talking about healthcare in Texas. Make me an instrument of your peace. Give us insight and wisdom. Show me how to love and owrship you in all that I do.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
