You can please turn in your Bibles to the Gospel of Luke. Luke chapter 13.

We’re doing our times of celebration of the Lord’s Supper, looking at different parables. Sometimes, as today, it’s hard to look at just the parable without considering the fuller context to which it’s tied. The parable itself is fairly brief.

We come this afternoon to Luke chapter 13, verses 1 through verse 9.

There were present at that season some who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no. 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 sinners than all other men who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. He also spoke this parable. A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down. Why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well, but if not, after that you can cut it down.

Let’s see the Lord’s blessing on this, His holy word.

Gracious God in heaven, we do again praise you and thank you for the gift of your word. As we come to this passage this afternoon, we pray that you would give us the insight and understanding by the power of your spirit, and that as your word goes forth, that it would truly find within each and every one of our hearts that rich, fertile soil that brings about great and abundant fruit for your glory. We ask now for your blessing upon your word. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Tragedies in Our World

At least 135 people, including 37 children, lost their lives in the flash flooding that occurred in the Texas Hill Country on July 4th of this year. The previous summer, there was widespread destruction in the hills of North and South Carolina because of the flash flooding from a tropical storm.

These kinds of tragedies often catch media attention because they happen suddenly without much warning and claim thousands of lives while also doing billions of dollars in damages.

There are also other, more common everyday tragedies: violence and crime, disease, accidental injuries, and death.

Because we live in a fallen and sinful world, tragedies happen.

Usually when such things happen, many questions are raised:

• Why did this happen?
• What did the victims do to deserve this?

Such questions are the common human response.

The Context of the Passage

In our passage, Jesus uses a parable to illustrate the point of his teaching about these kinds of tragedies. He urges his listeners—and us—to steer clear of unanswerable questions and various misconceptions people may have.

He wants us to refocus our thoughts on something much more vital: the condition of our own hearts before God and whether we’re ready at any time to meet our Maker.

The Atrocity Under Pilate

Some report to Jesus the news of a recent atrocity in Jerusalem. Certain Galileans who had gone to offer sacrifices were slaughtered by the command of Pontius Pilate. Their blood was mixed with the blood of the sacrifices, defiling them.

This gives us a glimpse into the evil heart of the man who would later send an innocent Jesus to be crucified.

The Tower in Siloam

Jesus mentions another tragedy: a tower on the southeast wall of Jerusalem collapsed and killed 18 people.

These accidental tragedies happen all the time—houses burn, cars crash, buildings or bridges collapse, flash floods sweep away everything in their paths.

Whether by evil intent, natural disaster, or accident, these events leave us with sorrow and perhaps despair.

False Assumptions About Tragedy

The people talking with Jesus understood that God is sovereign over all things. Yet instead of finding comfort, they drew two false assumptions.

False Assumption #1: Bad Things Only Happen to Bad People

Jesus asks:

Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things?

Are those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

The Jews were inclined to answer yes. This thinking appears in Job’s friends, in the disciples’ question about the man born blind (John 9), and even today in the church.

It is rooted in works righteousness—believing we can earn God’s favor by being good.

Qualifier: Sometimes tragedy is judgment for particular sin (Sodom, the flood), but this is not a blanket principle. We should examine our hearts, but we cannot assume every tragedy equals personal judgment.

False Assumption #2: Good Things Only Happen to Good People

Job’s friends asked: Whoever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?

Yet Scripture and experience prove otherwise:

• Psalm 73: the wicked prosper.
• The greatest example: the perfectly good Jesus suffered intensely.

Health-and-wealth teaching claims lack of faith or hidden sin causes suffering. This is a lie.

Jesus promises: the more you live like him, the more hostility and affliction you may endure.

The Vital Question Jesus Raises

Jesus answers his own question: No, these victims were not worse sinners.

All are sinners, worthy of judgment.

Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Tragedy should be an alarm: Are you ready if it happens to you?

Death by disease, violence, accident, or flood should cause us to ask:

• Have I repented of my sin?
• Do I stand clothed in the righteousness of Christ?
• Can I say with Paul, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain?”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. For three years he sought fruit and found none.

He tells the keeper: Cut it down. Why does it use up the ground?

The keeper pleads: Let it alone this year also. I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, well. If not, after that you can cut it down.

Meaning of the Parable

• The fig tree = Israel (specifically), and all who hear the gospel (generally).
• Expected fruit = repentance, faith, and good works flowing from them.
• The owner = God, patient but just.
• The keeper = Jesus, interceding with grace and tender care.

Peter reminds us: God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

There is still time—but the day of reckoning approaches.

Jesus leaves the story open: What will the tree do? What will you do?

Closing Prayer

Gracious God in heaven, we rejoice and give thanks for this challenging word to us. We’re mindful of all the different tragedies that even we have witnessed just over the last several months. These should be wake-up calls for all of us.

Are we ready for sudden tragedies? Are we ready for the return of Christ and the final judgment?

We acknowledge your abounding patience and grace toward us—that we are like that fig tree you have cultivated, fertilized, and tenderly cared for. May we truly bear great and abundant fruit for your glory: the fruit of faith, repentance, and the good works you call us to live out.

Bless us to stand as a beacon of light and hope in our homes, workplaces, and community. Not with pride, but faithfully offering the truth of the gospel to others that they too might become fruit-bearing plants for your glory.

When tragedy strikes, help us find comfort in your sovereignty, purpose, and plan. May we trust you amid unanswerable questions and especially examine our own hearts: Are we ready?

May we truly be ready, even now, for the Lord Jesus Christ on that last great day. All to the praise of your glorious name. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.