Are You the Bigger Sinner?

We turn our attention now to Luke 13:1-9. In these verses are found mention of certain sinners who died. It was commonly believed that these people died because of their sins. It was thought that their deaths were punishments for sins so heinous they simply could not be overlooked. The sins and subsequent deaths of these people were spoken in hushed dread as warnings to quickly depart the wayward path.

Two sets of sinners are mentioned. First, there was the unnumbered group of Galilaeans whose blood was mixed with Roman sacrifices. It is not told how or why they died, but it is interesting to note that the blood sacrifices of the Romans are mentioned in such a matter-of-fact manner. Pilate is mentioned as either performing the evil action or having ordered it done.

Second, there were the eighteen people upon whom the tower of Siloam fell. Both sets of people were seen to have died an ignominious death. It is human nature 101 to have a bad reaction to a bad death. Jesus posed the question: were these people necessarily more sinful than anyone else? It is within these same verses that Jesus points out that all of us stand to die a similar death – unless we repent.

So, is Jesus saying that a tower will fall on us or that our blood will be used in unholy rites? No. He is simply saying that every sinner dies. Some die horribly, some seem not to deserve such an end, but there is a common thread running through each occurrence. An unrepentant dead sinner is no longer able to repent. All opportunities for repentance become unavailable after death.

Jesus, in his usual fashion, turned it all upon those who brought the matter up. He laid out for them, and for us by extension, the whole nine yards of sin and repentance, of second chances and extended grace. He did this in his signature vehicle of delivery: the parable.

Did anyone understand the parable? Do any of us? Do we get it, and if so, do we apply it to our own lives? On many levels, the unfruitful tree is symbolic of the life that is unconnected to God – a willful independent spirit that moves and acts contrary to the will of God. The natural and immediate determination is to remove the unfruitful tree as it is only taking up space that would be better used for anything that gave a return on the investment.

The parable shows us an advocate for the unfruitful tree, a champion who offers us that one final chance to turn it all around. Jesus is that champion who offers second chances to the unrepentant and unfruitful thing that just takes up space. Are you that one? Accept the help; it is a limited-time offer. If, after this, you remain unfruitful, you will be cut down. You have this time, as it is said, 'Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation; the acceptable year of the Lord.'

“Lord, let it alone this year also . . . and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt thou shalt cut it down.” Take this final time to turn it all around. A falling tower may not be your demise; what's left of you after death may not be violated, but you will surely die in your sins with no remaining opportunities for change.