Repent or Perish

Luke 13:1–9
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Wabush, a town in a remote portion of Labrador, Canada, was completely isolated for some time. But recently a road was cut through the wilderness to reach it. Wabush now has one road leading into it, and thus, only one road leading out. If someone would travel the unpaved road … More

Repentance

Twice in this passage Jesus repeated identical words to reinforce the necessity of repentance (vv. 3- 5). Calamity and destruction await all who refuse to heed the warning. He uses two examples of how calamity can happen to anyone. The first told about was some Galileans who, while they were offering sacrifices were killed by Pilate (v. 1). The second concerned 18 seemingly innocent bystanders in Siloam who were killed when a tower fell on them (v. 4). Jesus is pointing out the fact that death is going to come to everyone sooner or later. But not everyone needs to stay dead. He promises that those who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Only repentance can bring life as people prepare to enter the kingdom.

Jesus gives them further teaching on the subject by giving them a parable of the fig tree (vv. 6-9). The tree seems to stand for Israel but can also be applied to the individual lives of those who claim to be God’s servants. The lesson is that when God gives spiritual privileges, He has a right to expect fruit. If fruit does not show in a person’s life, judgment will come. If there is no visible change, that person, like the figless fig tree, will be judged. If we have been enjoying God’s special treatment without giving anything in return, we need to begin to bear the fruit God has created us to produce.

Repentance is not like the person who sent the IRS a check for $150.00 with the remark, “If I can’t sleep, I’ll send you the rest.”

Application

The next time I hear about a tragedy that claims many lives (like the Tsunami was in Asia), I need to ask myself, “Am I just taking up space, or am I bearing fruit for God’s glory?”

Luke 13:1-9 (English Standard Version)

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