1 1-5 About that time some people came up and told him about the Galileans Pilate had killed while they were at worship, mixing their blood with the blood of the sacrifices on the altar. Jesus responded, “Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die. And those eighteen in Jerusalem the other day, the ones crushed and killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed and fell on them, do you think they were worse citizens than all other Jerusalemites? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die.”
6-7 Then he told them a story: “A man had an apple tree planted in his front yard. He came to it expecting to find apples, but there weren’t any. He said to his gardener, ‘What’s going on here? For three years now I’ve come to this tree expecting apples and not one apple have I found. Chop it down! Why waste good ground with it any longer?’
8-9 “The gardener said, ‘Let’s give it another year. I’ll dig around it and fertilize, and maybe it will produce next year; if it doesn’t, then chop it down.’”
People questioned Jesus about why some Galileans were killed by Pilate and some people died due to an accident. People came to challenge the reasons behind all these disasters. Jesus did not provide a logical or comforting answer to them but warned them that unless they turned to God, they too would die. Jesus bluntly declared that people would face death and judgment unless they turn to God. He followed up his argument by using a story of tree that did not bear fruit and the master continued to fertilize that tree but it would be chopped down if it would not bear fruit one year later. God is still gracious and giving people opportunity to repent but there will be a time for His return and judgment of human sins.
My Lord Jesus, we face unrighteousness and injustice happened on this earth everyday. People cheated, robbed, exploited, and prosecuted others in all parts of the earth. But You are the righteous King and the One who will exercise Your righteous judgment on earth and all people's revealed and hidden sins. You call us to repent and enter into Your Kingdom, continuing Your Kingdom's work on earth. Continue to give me faith in Your Gospel and Kingdom's message, proclaiming it, teaching its message, and healing people's diseases by the power of Your Spirit.
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