Luke 13:1-9

content/bible_journal/luke_13:1-9.md

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
++++
+title = "Luke 13:1–9"
+date = "2022-12-22"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk13.1-9)
+
+Pilate was the governor of Judea at the time of Jesus's ministry, and he had a
+reputation for cruelty as he attempted to keep the fractious Jews under Roman
+rule. This report that he mixed some Galileans' blood with that of their
+sacrifices indicates that they were killed while worshipping at the temple.
+Jesus tells the people that this doesn't mean that these Galileans were
+particularly bad sinners, because popular opinion would say that God would
+protect the righteous, especially while giving an offering to Him. Jesus
+doesn't give an opinion on whether these men were guilty of sedition against
+the Roman government or merely resisting an unjust arrest, but He does assert
+that they were sinners who deserved death just like everyone else. Therefore,
+He calls for His listeners to repent of their own sins or they will end up
+perishing just like the Galileans.
+
+He gives another example, where a tower at Siloam fell and killed eighteen
+people. Those eighteen people were sinners too, but any one of us could die
+just as swiftly. If we do not repent of our sins, then we shall die as well.
+
+The parable of the fig tree that Jesus tells loses all of its meaning when it's
+taken out of this context. For a whole chapter, Luke has been quoting Jesus's
+teaching on the necessity of being right with God before it is too late. When
+we are in our sins, we are like the fig tree that doesn't produce any fruit. We
+are useless to God and there will come a day when we are removed from our
+place. The Lord will be patient with us for a long time, years at a time. But
+eventually His patience runs out.
+
+* * *
+
+Help us to hate our sin, to flee from it, and rest safely under the shelter of
+Your mercy.