Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no!” -Luke 13: 2-3
There had a been couple instances of disaster that Jesus was addressing. Evidently, Pilate had killed some people, and there had also been a tower that collapsed and killed 18 innocent bystanders.
Jesus makes sure His listeners know that the victims were innocent. They were not “worse sinners” because of their death.
Bad things happen.
Bad things happen to good people.
Jesus doesn’t dive into whether or not the universe is fair or how to avoid calamity with oils or rituals. Instead, He cultivates a sense of urgency.
He tells these morality speculators to stop wondering whether people’s sins are the cause of their pain. Instead, “repent!” More specifically, change your thinking.
You’re thinking about this all wrong. You’re speculating about the lives of others while you’re wasting your own life.
He tells a parable about a fig tree that produces no fruit. “Kill it! It’s useless.” But someone in the parable intervened and begged,
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” -Luke 13:8-9
There’s no response. We don’t know if the fig tree lives or dies. Jesus stops the parable as if to say,
“I’ll give you more time… I’m the God of second chances. So live with a sense of urgency. Be a healthy fig tree and produce fruit.”
FYI: The life of a fig tree:
- Receive nutrients from earth (environment)
- Depend on sun and water (Creator)
- Allow fruit to be produced (for the benefit of others)