As Jesus was teaching, people brought up a current event: the despicable act of violence perpetrated upon some Galileans by Pilate, a Roman governor with a reputation for cruelty (1). Jesus brought the focus of conversation to the people right in front of him: "Unless you repent, you too will all perish." He then brought up a local story that was perhaps equally tragic: a tower that fell and killed city folk. His application was the same: "Unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Jesus teaches us how to engage with current events: not as rumors to be swapped, but lessons to lead us to repentance. We perish because of our sins. We repent to seek God's forgiveness. Instead of speculating about others' misfortunes, gospel faith leads us to repent of our own sins.

Jesus' parable of the fig tree expresses God's displeasure towards those who do not bear the fruit of repentance (6-9; 3:7-9). Yet the gardener's proposed delay also reveals God's desire, expressed fully through Jesus, that none should perish, but all be brought to repentance (2Pe 3:9). The ball is in our court. Will we bear the fruit of repentance in our lives, or settle for comparing with others and speculating on their sin?


Application: Father, thank you for Jesus, through whom we have forgiveness of sins. Help me to bear the fruit of repentance today.
One Word: Today is the day of salvation