Repent! Or perish!
Scripture reading for March 20: Luke 13
“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
People of every age have experienced wars, natural disasters and mass casualty events. Survivors and observers have often speculated about why these things happen or what divine judgment or satanic evil might be involved. There were two such events mentioned here by Jesus and He questioned the people about how they viewed what had happened. Were these people worse sinners? What or who caused them to suffer? Were they singled out for some nefarious reason that caused their destruction? Our cultural world view often determines how we seek to explain or justify these disturbing events. We assign blame and make excuses but fail to look in the mirror to see the state of our own souls!
But Jesus sought to use these sudden acts of violence and death to warn each person of their need to repent. If there was any sin or offenses in these who were now dead, there was no time left to repent and make changes. Their fates were set spiritually. If they were not right with God through repentance and faith, they would be eternally damned and under punishment. Jesus warned them that all who failed to go through Him, the ‘narrow Door,’ would experience weeping and gnashing of teeth and be left out of the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:28) The ‘Door’ would one day be shut and repentance would not be possible! Today is the time to take action, repent, and come to Jesus for a cleansing of heart.
When there is a mass casualty event or terrorist attack, how do you find yourself processing it? Do you assign blame and speculate on God’s reasons for allowing it? It it ever an occasion to thank God for His mercy in your life and ask Him for mercy on others?
Prayer: Father God, there have been many opportunities in my own life to process ‘accidents’, terrorist attacks, and the destruction of human lives by war and disease. It is often easy to view these things through media and assign blame. Forgive me and cleanse my mind from this thinking. Amen.
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