This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 13:1-9. The English Standard Version (ESV) presents the text in two parts. To the first part, it supplies the heading “Repent or Perish.” To the second part, it supplies the heading “The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.”
The passage begins with the words “There were some present at that very time.” This means what follows must be read as a continuation of what Luke wrote earlier. What did he write earlier?
Chapter 12 begins with the words “In the meantime.” And it reads like the notes of a sermon. The headings in the ESV give us a quick overview.
The first heading is “Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees.” Jesus warned against hypocrisy. He warned against being two-faced: saying one thing in private and another thing in public.
The second heading is “Have no Fear.” Jesus said don’t fear being killed. Clearly, he thought they were at risk of being killed.
The third heading is “Acknowledge Christ before Men.” Jesus said that when deciding what to say or do, they should think first of God, not the rulers and the authorities, or the government and the police.
The fourth heading is “The Parable of the Rich Fool.” Jesus warned them to live as if they might die that very minute; and to worry less about themselves and more about others.
The fifth heading is “Do not be Anxious.” Jesus said that God would care for anyone who put God’s agenda first; God would look after his servants and would supply all their needs.
The sixth heading is “You Must be Ready.” Jesus said they must constantly look for him, like servants try to spot their masters. He warned of punishment for those who didn’t look for God in all things.
The seventh heading is “Not Peace, but Division.” This is perhaps the most shocking thing Jesus said. Jesus, the one whom we often call “Prince of Peace,” said the result of his work would be great disharmony.
The eighth heading is “Interpreting the Time.” He warned his listeners to discuss widely, and meditate deeply, about what his presence meant. His presence marked a turning point in history.
The ninth and final heading in chapter twelve is “Settle with your Accuser.” He warned people to think of courts as the place of last resort for justice. He told them to try always to settle matters out of court.
And now, we come to Sunday’s passage. It’s actually two additions to the sermon. It’s Jesus’ response to a comment put to him by his listeners.
His listeners understood that he was talking about a life lived under and against authority. Under authority, because the comment mentions Pilate, the governor. Against authority, because the comment says Pilate killed Galileans and mocked their sacrifices, to send a message of terror, for they
“told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.”
Jesus was a Galilean. He grew up in the Galilean village of Nazareth, an hour’s walk from Sepphoris, which the Romans destroyed because it was a centre of resistance to their rule. They destroyed it a few years before Jesus was born. He would’ve heard many stories about Roman brutality.
Pilate too was known for his brutality. But they thought God had used Pilate to punish the Galileans for their sins. Jesus exposed that thought which was lurking in their minds. He did it by asking a question:
“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way?
To emphasize his point, he reminded them of another recent news report. He reminded them of,
“… 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?”
Notice the words, “think” and “worse” used in the context of people who were killed. Killed either by command of the ruler, or by the failure of people who were responsible for its construction, maintenance, or control.
Similar examples today are the abductions and disappearances of Pastors Joshua and Ruth Hilmy, and Raymond Koh; and Amri Che Mat. And the collapse of a factory building in Bangladesh, which killed over 1,100 people and injured many more.
Jesus was challenging their belief that executions and disasters happen to some people because they are more sinful than others.
Why do bad things happen? Even to religious people? Did Jesus answer? Does Luke report Jesus’ answer? No. He didn’t. Not in this passage.
Jesus responded with a story. He told of a fig tree which was well cared for. But didn’t bear fruit. So, the owner thought of cutting it down.
Jesus spoke of the fig tree because he didn’t want to be sucked into their attempt to distract from his message. The message of his sermon was that everyone should do right; should do justice; should stand up for justice. Even at the cost of their lives.
He added a way out for those who had tried till then to deflect the force of his message by trying to get him to speak instead about levels of sinfulness and about people other than themselves.
He said the owner relented when someone pleaded on behalf of the tree. The owner agreed to give the tree another year to bear fruit.
It doesn’t matter whether I’m in Galilee, or Jerusalem, or Siloam. Today could be the last day of my life. Whether I use my life to serve God and neighbour is the only thing that matters.
The dialogue between Jesus and the two criminals who were crucified with him comes to mind. You’ll find this Luke 23:39-43.
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
As Christians, we believe God’s words to man, as contained in the Bible.
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And
“what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
All of us need forgiveness every day. Do we recognize ourselves in Calvary? Which of the two criminals beside Jesus on the cross are we?
Peace be with you.
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