Within the recent week, God has been pushing me toward spending a day with Him and simply leaving everything behind to be with Him. Let’s just say, it happened and it was awesome! In that time, I set some time aside to dive deep in the scriptures and really seek to know God’s heart more through His recorded words and those that are living and acting according to Hebrews 4:12. During my time with the Lord, I ended up reading Luke 13:1-9 and this is what was revealed…

Regarding Luke 13:1-5, Jesus addresses the question of: why do bad things happen to ‘good people’. He does this in a very interesting way and here is what I found. Jesus answers that question by simply. . . Not answering it! Jesus takes that question and shifts it toward the matter at heart for those present which was the deeper issue of repentance according to the scriptures.

“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.” (Luke 13:1-5)

Jesus responded by questioning if they thought the Galileans were to be worse sinners than others? At the moment they died they were worshipping which is awesome but that doesn’t make them anymore or less holy than others. Then Jesus brought up a moment where the eighteen people in Jerusalem died but just because that happened doesn’t mean they were sinning causing God’s wrath to fall upon them.

In these two stories there were tragedies that occurred and were not welcomed but they still occurred. Whether some dies by accident and unexpected or as martyrs, they still died and unless they repent and follow Jesus, they will perish. In this story, Jesus responds to the whole bad things and good people concept with a heart concept of repentance. That is truly only what matters. Jesus’ mention of the fall of the tower of Siloam added a nuance to His prior point: accidents happen. Therefore, even in the absence of persecution, death can come unexpectedly to anyone, irrespective of how righteous or sinful they are. He may have been emphasizing that the time granted by God for repentance is limited. Whether due to persecution or misadventure, repentance is universally strongly and earnestly required by Jesus. The time is short, and therefore the time for repentance is now.

In His response to both tragedies, Jesus dismissed personal guilt or causation as the reason they became victims, instead, He turned the focus toward those wanting to hear “why?”

Familia. . . As those of the faith we are called to bear fruit and the only way to bear fruit is as we repent and become one with the Father and become one with the vine. As a family, we are here to grow together and encourage one another so that Christ can be glorified. When we do not bear fruit, we tend to bring those around us down and cause them to have to pick up our slack. With God, it is not about doing but if we are not growing on our own, bearing fruit and spiritually feeding ourselves then the effect will be all around us and those closest to us. As we view repentance how Jesus described it, it’s results will consist of bearing fruit, as well as heart-led deeds of love for God and our neighbors. Repentance is not only for our own growth. Repentance, like everything else in the faith, is inclusive and intended for the growth of the body.

I would like to encourage you that if you have not had a moment of repentance and seeking of the Father that you would do that. Ask the Lord for an experience that will bring revelation and a new knowledge of who He is not due to what others speak of Him but according to the moment you would have had with Him. I hope this can serve as encouragement to you and if you have any questions or would like further explanation or discussion on the topic, please reach out.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to reach out to untogodblog@gmail.com. Like what you read? Like, Comment & Share, God Bless.