By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Luke 13:3 NABRE
Jesus gets a question from some people in the crowd about Galileans who had gone up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices but were killed by Pilate. This incident is not recorded elsewhere but is consistent with other descriptions of Pilate’s brutality. It was common in Jesus time and earlier for people to believe those who suffered were great sinners. Putting this question to Jesus the crowd might wonder about Jesus opinion about these people being great sinners. They may also have been wondering about Jesus’ opinion of the Roman occupation of Jerusalem. Jesus rather uses their questions as a teaching moment. First He clarifies that those who suffered this fate were not greater sinners than the rest. Jesus broadens the perspective by calling everyone to settle account with God; repent or else you will perish, not just in this life but the next as well. Rather than being afraid of someone like Pilate who can only kill the body, they should be more concerned about God who can give eternal life or not. Jesus uses His words as a summons to repentance and readiness for people of every age, who do not know when their life will be demanded of them (see Luke 12:20,) whether because of an accident, illness, human making or some other reason.
In biblical language repenting is less about regret or remorse and more about changing direction, to repent is a life change, a turning around. Listening to Jesus we can all be more perfect and walk toward God, ready for life. All of us need change, we must do more for others and give our life for others. As a country we struggle with isolating and wearing mask to save other’s lives, therefore it is clear we can do more to show love for others.
Are you turning toward Jesus? What change can you make?
Listening to Jesus we can all be more perfect and walk toward God, ready for life. All of us need change, we must do more for others and give our life for others. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #repent #change #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways