Repent or Perish  by Father Reid Hensarling

    Only Luke records this event.  When Jesus is asked to assess the theological reasons for two recent tragedies, he uses the occasion to warn people about the need to repent.  Jesus challenges the crowed to turn to God.  This necessity is made clear by the warning that all are at risk of perishing unless they repent. 

    The historical incidents mentioned in this passage are not recorded elsewhere.  Some people mention a recent incident in which some Galileans were put to death as they offered their sacrifice.  Neither the exact location of the attack nor the number who lost their lives is given.  The Roman procurator Pontius Pilate used force and death resulted.  Whatever the incident, it made a great impression on the people and Jesus is asked to comment on it.  Notice that Jesus did not make a political statement concerning Pilate and the Galileans.  Instead, Jesus turns the incident into an opportunity to issue a warning.  This opportunity for spiritual reflection is more important than political commentary.  The first tragedy was by human hands, while the Siloam incident is by natural causes.  The origin of tragedy does not alter Jesus’ remarks or the spiritual realities. 

    The warning is that those who do not repent will perish.  The crowd listening to Jesus took the absence of tragedy in their life as a sign of God’s approval and blessing.  In the view of the questioners, others tragically met their death because of sin in their lives.  Tragedy is not necessarily related to a worse level of sin.  Rather, tragedy shows life’s fragile character and the importance of knowing God.  Jesus replies that their sense of security is wrong and that the issue of perishing is only a matter of time for all of us.  A person’s life ultimately depends on responding in faith to God.  The issue is not when death will happen or why, but avoiding a terminal fate with great consequences.  Only repentance will prevent the death that is eternal.  Jesus issues a call to repent, for disaster looms for the unresponsive. 

    Verses 6-9 deal with God’s patience with the fig tree.  The parable pictures a tree that is given one more brief chance to bear fruit or face destruction.  The final chance is allowed, despite a history of fruitlessness that already led the owner to call for its removal.  The parable depicts the nation of Israel on the edge of judgment and God as a patient God, allowing the nation one final chance to respond to him in faith.  God graciously delays cutting off the nation, though its time to yet repent is short.  It is very important to decide for Jesus now. 

    Putting both lessons together, the basic message is that all people must repent if they are to avoid truly perishing.  The warning is especially urgent because the people’s time is about to run out.  We never know when it is our time to die, so it imperative that we repent before that time comes.  Tragedy is hard and life is often short.  But life is more tragic if one does not turn to God in time. 

    This Lenten season is a great time and opportunity to get our lives right with God.  Repenting of our sins is always part of our Holy Eucharist services and a very important part.  Receiving God’s forgiveness and knowing that we have eternal life in Christ is wonderful news to be shared with others.

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