LUKE 13:1-21 SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED There were prejudiced people in the time of the Lord Jesus on earth the same as there is today. Galileans were looked down on by those from Judea as a poor class of people compared to themselves. Whether they expected a comment or not from the Lord Jesus did not change His use of this time as a teaching moment. The Galileans who were worshipping when offering sacrifices, may have expected the antagonism of Pilate if they were part of an insurrection movement. Whatever the case Pilate exacted retribution by killing them. If their sacrifices were for personal sins, none of this made any difference. They had something in common with everyone. "It is appointed unto man once to die." Everyone must repent to God because before us sooner or later is "death day." In the case of these Galileans it must have been expected.
Then there were eighteen people, perhaps workmen on a project in Siloam who died unexpectedly. They may have been going about the labor of honest work or those who died may have been bystanders. Whatever they were and whatever they were doing did not change the fact that unexpected death came upon them. A catastrophe can overtake a person leaving no time to repent. Whether death is expected or unexpected, slow or instantaneous - everyone must repent toward God and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved from the eternal consequences of unforgiven sin.
It is not within the scope of our ability to determine the reality of a person's experience. But we can assure people when we present the Gospel that without repentance of sin there is no salvation from sin. Moreover, that must take place before death. There is no offer of repentance of sin and salvation after death for those who die in their sin - expected or unexpected.
In order that there be no misunderstanding of repentance, the Lord gave a parable to illustrate the mercy and longsuffering of God toward a fruitless people. Israel is used as an example that blessing or cursing follows the presentation of truth. God has the right of expectation of righteousness from those He has blessed. Year after year God has provided everything that is needed for us to be fruitful in life to Him. In patient, loving care we have been given all we need and more, that we might give in return that which glorifies God. The fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance in the life of a believer, is to be for the glory of God. The fruit of righteousness; of every good work; of our lips giving thanks to Him and confessing Him impartially and sincerely, pleases God and shows the reality of repentance and faith.
There are times when an opportunity arises and we don't even realize the importance of the moment. In this chapter there was warning given about unexpected or expected death. There is warning regarding the need of repentance. A woman, "a daughter of Abraham," perhaps indicating that in spite of her infirmity, she still had faith in God, was in a place where the word of God would be read. This is the last time we read of the Lord Jesus being in a synagogue. This incident took place in the last few months of His public ministry. This woman "bent double" would only be able to look at the ground so wouldn't know that "Jesus saw her." He knew Satan had bound her and bent her. He knew the woman's heart as He knows everything about us and the circumstances of our lives. When "He called her to Him," He immediately and totally healed her, breaking the bonds of Satan by the power of Him who has "all power in heaven and in earth." The straightened woman did what every liberated, freed soul does - she glorified God. This is evidence of a work of God in the soul of all who respond to the opportunity God gives. In contrast, the ruler of the synagogue was angry and bitter with envy. His authority and description of work was very different than the Lord's. He thought more of a thirsty ox or ass than a bound, hurting human. Even today, we can see this attitude toward animals that many think, are as valuable or more so than humans who are made in the image of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ used that event to give warning about the spread of evil. Evil comes in secretly and grows rapidly. It may have a good face on it but it is uncontrollable once it takes hold and begins to work. It is characterized by what looks like greatness and people will follow it because it looks so successful. Even though it may seem so insignificant at first, once it takes root, there is no stopping its rapid growth. It even takes hold without any visible evidence, but in a short time the effect of evil has permeated all of a person's life, and soon takes over all of society itself. There is a cost to following the Lord that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will have to pay. To reject what is popular does not leave any place where a disciple of the Lord can be halfway in an evil society or system. There is no branch in the great mustard tree where one is free from the presence of the "fowls of the air" - the emissaries of Satan, and can bring forth fruit for God. There is no place in bread that has been leavened where the leaven does not affect the flour. Loyalty to the Lord means we have to stay as a branch in the vine and remain unleavened bread.
Many will never react to warnings until it is way too late. They will find because of indifference and sin; they're left to an awful fate. Wise people will realize our life on earth is only a very short time. To seek the Lord first in life will give meaning most people never find.
"Who is the worst sinner?" many will ask as themselves to others they compare. They are not willing to admit that all people in common do share "The wages of sin," and God respects no one by degrees of importance as we do. We are all under that sentence of death no matter where we're born or to whom.
Without repentance there is no new life; without new life no fruit. Without fruit there is no deliverance from evil, or self-righteousness able to suit The righteousness of God, who though patient and kind, will not wait forever To see if there is reason to longer wait before life's ties He will sever.
The question about sin's guilt was answered plainly, repentance for sin is a must. When that happens, real repentance will show, in God the sinner has put his trust. In grace God waits, His judgment restrained until the evidence is truly there. If repentance doesn't come, He will righteously act, judgment He will no longer forebear.
To encourage a soul long weighted down by bands Satan for years has tied; Don't despair, the Lord can see the reality of your faith deep inside. When others can't help you, still refuse to blame God when hard things come to pass. In His own time, He will do what is needed, a solution may come very fast.
There is no denying the fact that evil is increasing and pressure to conform is real. People will want you to follow the crowd and reject what the scriptures reveal. Though there is nothing great in ourselves, we can walk with the Lord in the light. Do not mix in like leaven in bread, be strong, and stand solid for what is right.
"There are increasing pressures Father, on Thy people in these days of indifference. Pleasure-seeking, self-satisfaction and craving for more material things has taken the place of respect, honor, truth and righteousness. May all who know Thee as our Gracious Father commit themselves to Thee in righteousness and faith. And may Thy servant be found among these holy people when the Lord comes or I am called away by death. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."