A Call for Repentance: The Gift of Another Chance

3^rd Sunday in Lent  +   March 7, 2010

 

Scripture

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ²He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? ³No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. ⁴Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. ⁷So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ ⁸He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. ⁹If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”  

    --- Luke 13:1-9

 

The text of this passage is taken from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 by The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission.

 

Commentary

Some people tell Jesus about a terrible event in which Pilate had his soldiers slaughter a group of Galilean pilgrims as they were worshiping  and offering sacrifices, and the blood of the Galileans mingled with that of their sacrifices. This particular incident is not known from other sources, although historians do mention a number of Pilate’s confrontations with Jews that sometimes led to bloodshed. Jesus asks whether they think these Galileans died because they were more sinful than all other Galileans. There was a commonly held belief that sin resulted in suffering and disaster, so if they died, they must have been sinners. Jesus dismisses this idea, but then adds that all who do not repent will likewise die.

Then Jesus mentions the eighteen people in Jerusalem who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them, another event not known from ancient sources. The Pool of Siloam was located not far from the Temple near the city wall, and apparently a tower in the wall had collapsed. Again Jesus asks if they think these eighteen were greater sinners than everyone else living in Jerusalem. His answer again is no, but all who do not repent will likewise die.

Death by political violence, by accident, or by natural disaster does not occur because God has chosen to punish particular people for their sins, says Jesus. At the same time, life is filled with dangers, and death may happen at any moment, suddenly and unexpectedly. The coming judgment may occur just as suddenly. Therefore, the need for repentance is urgent.

Jesus continues the theme of the coming judgment in the parable of the unfruitful fig tree. The image of unfruitful trees occurs in the Old Testament (Micah 7:1 and Isaiah 5:1-7), and Jesus adds a new element in the actions of the gardener. The fig tree has been growing for three years and has produced no fruit. Three years should have been enough time for fruit to develop, so the tree’s owner instructs the gardener to cut it down. It appears that the tree will never be productive, so the logical thing is to remove it so it does not take up valuable soil that could be used for a fruitful tree. The gardener intercedes and asks for one more year to cultivate and fertilize it.

There is still time for the possibility of fruitfulness, but time is short. God is the judge of human behavior, yet God also offers the opportunity for repentance. God will mercifully allow one last chance for people to repent and return to the Lord. There is a limit to God’s patience, however, and God’s judgment is coming soon.

 

For Reflection

1. What does the word “repent” mean? When Jesus says it is necessary to repent, what is he asking you to do?

2. What does this passage say to you about making judgment on others?

3. What kind of “fruit” has been your harvest during the last year?

4. What part of your life has been unproductive and may need time and attention?

5. What “fertilizer” do you need to produce a better harvest? How will you find and receive this “fertilizer”?

 

Prayer

Give us the courage, O God, to hear your word and to read our living into it.  Give us the strength to recognize our need to return to you and fertilize our lives that we may bear a fruitful harvest. Amen.