Where’s your focus?
by Ruth Olsen
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Jesus answered, ‘Do you think … I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish’ (Luke 13:2,3).
Read Luke 13:1–9
We don’t know the backstory of why Pilate had some Galileans killed while they were offering sacrifices at the temple. When there’s a tragedy, people often ask, ‘Why did God allow that to happen?’ Was God punishing them? Likewise with the tower of Siloam that fell and killed 18 people. Does that indicate they were more guilty than others in Jerusalem?
Jesus replied with an emphatic, ‘No!’. It’s as though he said, ‘You are doing the human thing of wanting to apportion blame’. ‘Why?’ is often our favourite question. We like to understand things. Things are meant to make sense. But Jesus directs them to a deeper question: ‘Are you ready if you were to suddenly die? Would you be separated from God and perish? Live your life ready. Repent!’
Jesus calls all of us to repentance – to repent of our own efforts, our limited perception, and our willingness to blame others. We live in a broken world, and each of us messes up somehow, including through our pride and unbelief. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves: Am I living as a follower of Jesus, moved from darkness to light, placing my confidence in God? Am I submitting to the lordship of Jesus?
Depending on the variety, a fig tree typically starts bearing fruit three to five years after planting. This man (verse 6) had a fig tree planted in the care of his vineyard keeper. For three years, he came looking for fruit but found none. We don’t know how long it’s been there, but the expectation is for the tree to bear fruit. If it doesn’t, then the time will come to replace it.
In effect, don’t postpone repentance! Do we realise that God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:1–4)? Are you willing for the Holy Spirit to dig around you, your roots, to fertilise your life? For it is there that we learn to trust God at work in us and bear fruit accordingly.
Father, teach me your ways. Help me walk in repentance daily. Thank you for your patience and perseverance with us.
Ruth lives in Adelaide with Steen, her husband of more than 50 years. Her autoimmune disorder is now under control, although kidney dialysis is currently a requirement three times a week. That swallows much time, yet the Lord is with her in the challenges. He is always faithful!
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