Luke 13:1-9 includes a warning from the apostle Paul about becoming overconfident: "Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12, CEV). And this week's Gospel text challenges the notion of false confidence. The text is structured in two parts. The first part (verses 1-5) focuses on repentance and includes two questions posed by Jesus (verses 2, 4); the second part (verses 6-9) calls our attention to God's merciful patience.
In the account of the Galileans who perished and those who were killed when a tower collapsed, Jesus teaches that tragedy is not to be interpreted as evidence of sinfulness. Likewise, Jesus cautions those who do not suffer tragedy not to be self-righteous and assume they are without sin. In Jesus' day, physical suffering was viewed as a consequence of sin (see Luke 5:18-24; John 9:2, 3). Jesus refutes this notion and dismantles the interpretation that suffering is to be equated with sinfulness. To those with a self-righteous attitude, Jesus exhorts them to repent. His message harkens back to the preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:3) who warned the people to turn back to God so that their sins would be forgiven.
The parable of the fig tree helps us understand divine patience and provides a context for suffering and sin. It normally takes a fig tree three years in which to mature and bear fruit. In this parable, the three years have passed, and the tree has been unproductive. The tree is spared, even though it is fruitless, because of the patience of the gardener. The parable serves as a metaphor to teach us about the ways of God in relation to sinful humanity. God gives us a second chance over and over again, even when we are undeserving of such boundless grace.
The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning (Lamentations 3:23, CEV). In this week's Old Testament lesson, the prophet Isaiah reminds us to "return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive [our] sins" (55:7b, CEV). Our God is indeed kind and merciful, and God's love for us can always be trusted (Psalm 86:15), even when we fall.
This Reflection is drawn from the Bible Resource Center's e-Bulletin Series - an online ministry of the American Bible Society. The Bible Resource Center is also home to an extensive collection of Essential Bible Study Tools
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