1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
10On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."
15The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" 17When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. (NIV)
MAIN IDEAS FROM THIS TEXT
A. Those who die from earthly calamities are not more worthy of God's judgment than anyone else.
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no!….. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no!
From the Old Testament times to Jesus’ time, there had been a tendency among the Jews to assume that personal calamity was punishment for personal sin. For example, consider what Job’s accusers say in Job 4:7; 8:20 and 22:5-10. Also, recall what the disciples ask Jesus concerning the young blind man in John 9: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (v.2).
But in verses 3 and 5 of Luke 13, Jesus makes clear that no matter how “good” or “bad” a person might be considered to be by others, all people are equally guilty of sin before God (Gal 3:22, Ps 130:3; 143:2; Ecc 7:20; Rom 3:9-18).
B. The real tragedy that befalls human beings is not the shocking way that some die, but in what happens after death for all who haven't turned from their sin and towards God.
But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
”perish” – does not simply mean “to die”. If it did, then one conclusion that could be made about Jesus’ words “unless you repent, you will perish” is that if one does repent, he or she doesn’t have to die. But, of course, that can’t be true. Death must occur for everyone, because of the Fall (Rom 5:12; Jn 11:25). Rather, the true meaning of “perish” involves entering a state that is opposite to having everlasting life (Jn 3:16). This is the position of standing condemned before God (Jn 3:18, 36) and, as a result, suffering eternal punishment (Mt 25:46).
In a way, the warning we hear from Jesus in this passage is a very strong parallel to another statement He made in Chapter 12: "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (12:4-5).
Discussion Question #1: What ramifications do Jesus’ words in verses 1 to 5 have for a) the way we view sudden tragedies in the world; b) the way we – as a church, or as individuals – do evangelism; and c) the way we should respond to the mercy that God has shown us believers in Christ?
C. Repentance without fruit is not sincere, and will receive God's condemnation.
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.
9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
In this parable, Jesus is making an allusion to some Old Testament passages where Israel is described as a fruitless vine (Isa 5:1-7; Mic 7:1). In doing this, He is giving one last warning to the Jewish people to recognize and believe His identity as the Son of God, and in so doing, repent and “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (as John the Baptist said in Lk 3:8; see also Acts 26:20).
Discussion Question #2: What are some examples of the kind of “fruit” that is evidence of repentance? What are some ways of discovering whether or not we are producing more and more of these?
D. God is patient with people, but the time He grants for people to repent is short.
7'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree….
8'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet 3:9)
”….now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (Ac 17:30)
”…keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Mt 25:13)
E. Setting aside one day for God does not mean that nothing should be done, especially when opportunities for ministering to God’s people present themselves.
13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
“Works of necessity and mercy” are never disallowed even on the Lord’s day. They may very well result in the recipient’s giving glory to God, as indeed the woman did after Jesus healed her (verse 13).
Again we see here, as we have seen elsewhere in Luke’s gospel (Lk 8:30-32; 12:6-7, 24), that people are more important to God than creatures or animals. If the Jewish leaders take care of their oxen and donkeys, Jesus says, how much more should they take care of people.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Mic 6:8)
” And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
F. Jesus can, and does, free people from the dominion of Satan.
16Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"
In Luke’s gospel we’ve already seen several examples of Jesus’ power over Satan (Lk 4:31-44; 6:17-26; 8:22-39; 10:17-18; 11:20-22). All of these incidents serve to give a preview of the ultimate death-blow that our Lord would give to Satan’s activity through His work on the cross (Jn 12:31; Col 2:13-15; Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8).
G. Many who profess to be God's people will remain stubborn in their unbelief of Jesus, no matter how often His words are heard or His works are on display.
14Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said….
Next week: Luke 13:18-35 – The Kingdom of God, the Narrow Door, and Jerusalem
