Photo by serjan midili on Unsplash
Turn with me in your Bibles to …
Luke 13:1-2 KJV There were present at that season some that told him of the GALILAEANS, WHOSE BLOOD PILATE HAD MINGLED WITH THEIR SACRIFICES. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them …
I last preached out of this text in 2016, the first year that Donald Trump ran for office of the President. Though Clinton received 2,868,686 more POPULAR votes than Trump, President Trump received 77 more ELECTORAL votes than Clinton. Our Constitution calls on the ELECTORAL votes, not the POPULAR votes to determine the Presidency. So this was the first presidency of Donald Trump. Clinton claimed the election was stolen, but it wasn’t. Then we began a period where Congress wasted time with “Russian Collusion In The Election”. Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not establish that the Trump campaign criminally conspired or coordinated with the Russian government’s election-interference operation, wasting 32.7 million dollars of our money.
The COVID epidemic ended President Trump’s bid for re-election, hitting America March 11, 2020. Biden became President, receiving 74 more ELECTORAL votes than Trump. Then in 2024, Trump defeated Harris with 86 more ELECTORAL votes – and he is now our President.
Preach! Each American voting cycle, one side or the other shouts “the election was stolen” or “this is a disaster”. The Congress, instead of taking care of the nation, tries to hurt the “enemy” on the other side. This is the spirit of Satan, not of God.
Preach! In our text today there was a disaster. A rebellion broke out in Rome. The followers of Judas Gaulonites refused to submit to Roman authority. They turned against the Law of the land, rejected paying taxes, and were constantly seeking to cause social unrest in Rome. During one of the Jewish Holy Days Galileans that followed Judas were in the Temple offering sacrifices on the altar of God. The Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, sent soldiers into the Temple. THE REBELS WERE ALL KILLED, and THEIR BLOOD WAS POURED OUT ON THE ALTAR OF GOD.
Preach! As Jesus is preaching, some people interrupt the service, and tell Jesus about the “GALILAEANS, WHOSE BLOOD PILATE HAD MINGLED WITH THEIR SACRIFICES”. Pilate bad! Galilaeans good! How did Jesus respond?
Did Jesus say, like so many other Preachers, “Well, bless their hearts. That’s a shame. I’m so sorry that happened! Let’s stop and have a prayer for the Galileans and their families.”
Let’s read the part of the text we haven’t read yet.
Luke 13:2-3 KJV And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, NAY: but, EXCEPT YOU REPENT, YOU SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.
We All Need To REPENT, Or We Will Likewise Perish
Jesus is a Jew, and Pilate a Gentile who ordered the death of the Jews on a holy day. You would think that Jesus would come down on the side of the Jews. You would think WRONG. Jesus came down – ALWAYS – on the side of God the Father. Jesus wasn’t Jewish or Gentile in His theology. Jesus wasn’t Republican or Democrat in what He believed. Jesus told everyone, “My DOCTRINE IS NOT MINE, but HIS WHO SENT ME” (John 7:16). He said “The WORDS THAT I SPEAK TO YOU, I DO NOT SPEAK ON MY OWN AUTHORITY; but THE FATHER WHO DWELLS IN ME does the works” (John 14:10). And again, “I have NOT spoken on My own authority; but the Father Who sent Me GAVE ME A COMMAND, WHAT I SHOULD SAY, and WHAT I SHOULD SPEAK” (John 12:49). Jesus is not like these liberal, progressive preachers who twists the Bible to suit the pleasures of the people. Jesus spoke the Biblical truth. And the truth is this – and it’s brutal:
EXCEPT YOU REPENT, YOU SHALL ALL
LIKEWISE PERISH
Just as the Galilaeans had their blood shed on the altar, Jesus said, the same thing can happen to YOU. Here’s the truth. Why was Israel under the heel of Rome? Was that just an accident of nature? No! The Bible tells us this:
Romans 13:1-6 NKJV Let EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES. For there is NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD, and THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD. 2 Therefore whoever RESISTS THE AUTHORITY, RESISTS THE ORDINANCE OF GOD, and THOSE WHO RESIST WILL BRING JUDGMENT ON THEMSELVES. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
When Paul wrote this under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, he wrote it as a Jew who loved Israel, and was actually under Roman house arrest. Both Jesus and Paul – as well as every Biblical Prophet and Apostle – saw God as in control of everything. The reason that Israel was in Roman control is because Israel would not repent and return to God.
Had Israel repented and heeded God’s directive, they would have remained a world power. But Israel, who was supposed to be God’s people, turned to idolatry and rebellion. And God punished the nation with other nations.
From it’s formation in Egypt, as Jesus speaks to these people Israel has been ruled by Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and now Rome. And rather than repent and turn to God, they are rebelling against Rome, which nation God allowed them to conquer Israel.
Luke 13:2-3 Suppose ye that these Galilæans were SINNERS ABOVE ALL the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, EXCEPT YOU REPENT, YOU SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH
The Galilaeans were not greater sinners than any others. The Bible says that “The WAGES of SIN is DEATH” (Romans 6:23). These people died because they did not repent, and return to God. Had they repented and turned to God they would never have died in such a horrible way, like an animal slain on the altar. Now Jesus doubles down:
Luke 13:4-5 KJV Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, EXCEPT YOU REPENT, YOU SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.
The Pool of Siloam was an important water source for Jerusalem, and the Tower of Siloam was a defensive structure built to guard that water source. The Tower fell, killing eighteen people. Though no one really knows, I believe since Jesus tied this to the Galilaeans who were following Judas Gaulonites that they were using guerrilla tactics to sabotage the Roman occupiers. The Tower fell, and killed these “sinners”. By Jesus’ words they were sinners. But they were not greater sinners than anyone else. They needed to REPENT. They needed to come to God.
What Does It Mean To “Repent”?
Word Study: In the Old Testament, the Hebrew for repent is nāḥam (pronounced naw-kham’), which means “to have sorrow for an action, to regret, to turn back from where you are to where you need to be”. The word can also mean “to comfort or be comforted”. The word focuses on turning away from your desires, and seeking the pleasure of God. The Prophet said:
Job 42:6 KJV Wherefore I abhor myself, and REPENT {nāḥam} in dust and ashes.
God even uses the word for Himself. He said to His fallen Israel and the other nations that rejected Him:
Jeremiah 18:8 KJV If THAT NATION, against whom I have pronounced, TURN FROM THEIR EVIL, I will REPENT (nāḥam) of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
God said “I will repent of destroying you, if YOU REPENT and RETURN TO ME”. And again, God said:
Jeremiah 26:3 KJV If so be they will HEARKIN, and TURN EVERY MAN FROM HIS EVIL WAY, that I may REPENT (nāḥam) Me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them BECAUSE OF THE EVIL OF THEIR DOINGS.
God said, “Listen to Me. I’m the Boss. I’m God. You can REPENT, and I will REPENT of your destruction. Or you can keep pushing Me and see what happens”
Word Study: In the New Testament the word “Repent” is the Greek metanoeō, which means “to have a change of heart or to change the mind, to reconsider your position and follow Jesus”. To “Repent” means to stop trying to be God, and start following God.
The Bible tells us that we have ALL SINNED. “For ALL HAVE SINNED and COME SHORT of the GLORY OF GOD” (Romans 3:23). We are born into this world selfish and self seeking. We are broken. But Jesus came for the broken like us. Jesus said:
Luke 5:32 NKJV I have NOT COME to call the righteous, BUT SINNERS, TO REPENTANCE (metanoia).
If you think you’ve got it all under control, and you don’t need God – then Jesus didn’t come for you. If you are one of those who arrogantly think you are perfect, that you exhale nothing but perfume, that God Himself was blessed when He made you – Jesus isn’t for you. You’ll keep blaming your troubles on everyone but yourself. It’s the Democrats fault. No, it’s Republicans. No, it’s God, He hates me. No, it’s my neighbor. But Jesus says,
“Just as the Galilaeans were killed on the altar – you can be too!”
“Just as guerrillas had the Tower of Siloam fall on them – you can experience the same!”
Don’t believe you are any better. When you get off course of the Way of Truth, the clear teaching of the Scripture, you are playing with a Cosmic Grizzly Bear! You are making faces at a Raging Bull. You are dancing in the flames of a Universal Forest Fire. You are smacking at a Galactic Hornet’s Nest. You are making a horrible mistake. Do not minimize sin. Adam thought a little bite of the forbidden – just a taste – would make no difference. But his action effected the whole world.
Romans 5:12, 14 NKJV … just as THROUGH ONE MAN SIN ENTERED THE WORLD, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and thus DEATH SPREAD TO ALL MEN, because ALL SINNED– … 14 Nevertheless DEATH REIGNED …
Sin brings death. “Unless you repent, YOU SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH”. There is no one excluded. You can be highly educated. You can be rich or poor. You can be beautiful or ugly. It doesn’t matter who you are. “Unless you REPENT, YOU SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH”.
Will The People Repent? The Clock Is Ticking.
Jesus continues His sermon:
Luke 13:6-9 KJV {Jesus} spake also this parable; A certain man had A FIG TREE planted in His vineyard; and He came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said He unto the Dresser of His vineyard, Behold, THESE THREE YEARS I COME SEEKING FRUIT ON THIS FIG TREE, and FIND NONE: CUT IT DOWN; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And He answering said unto Him, Lord, LET IT ALONE THIS YEAR ALSO, TILL I SHALL DIG ABOUT IT, and DUNG IT: 9 And IF IT BEAR FRUIT, well: and if not, THEN AFTER THAT THOU SHALT CUT IT DOWN.
What is the “FIG TREE” Jesus is talking about? In the Old Testament God used the “FIG TREE” to picture Israel. We read:
Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the FIRST RIPE FIG ON A FIG TREE in its first season.
When Israel kept falling into idolatry, refusing to repent, God promised that He would punish that nation by sending them to another nation. God told Israel “There will be no grapes on the vine, NO FIGS ON THE TREE, and even the leaves will wither” (Jeremiah 8:13).
The fig tree represented God’s Old Testament people. Jesus is preaching in the Synagogues, where only Jews are congregated, as He speaks this parable.
A certain man had A FIG TREE planted in His vineyard
God chose Israel to be His nation. He planted Israel in His vineyard. But Israel kept walking away from God.
He came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
God walks in the midst of His people. He looks for FRUIT. Israel is in covenant with God. It was planted by God. It was cherished by God. And it was supposed to bear fruit for God. So God tells
the Dresser of His vineyard, Behold, THESE THREE YEARS I COME SEEKING FRUIT ON THIS FIG TREE, and FIND NONE: CUT IT DOWN
The “Dresser of God’s Vineyard” is Jesus. When God became Man, Jesus came and preached the Gospel of salvation to Israel FIRST. Paul wrote:
Romans 1:16 I am NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, FOR THE JEW FIRST and ALSO FOR THE GREEK.
Jesus came preaching “REPENT, for the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND” (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15). The Messiah has come to Israel. His ministry is at the “THREE YEAR” mark. While Jesus has been preaching, many have come to Him for healing … but relatively few have received Him as lord and Savior.
The Pharisees are happy with their religious traditions.
The Sadducees are pleased with their progressive theology.
The Herodians are satisfied with their political aspirations.
The Scribes have memorized the written Word,
but despise the Living Word.
The Father has watched His Son go from place to place preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, begging people to “REPENT”. There can be no fruit until there is repentance and surrender to God. Have you all ever heard this preached?
“God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life”.
Jesus NEVER preached that. In 1952 Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ said that this was the first spiritual law. It’s not. Do you know what Jesus said? He said:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life.
What did this Jesus preach? What did He want you to believe? “REPENT, for the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND” (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15). What else did Jesus want us to believe about our lives? What does it mean to “REPENT”?
Matthew 16:24-25 If anyone desires to come after Me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and FOLLOW ME. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
That’s what salvation is. That’s what repentance is. Jesus said “whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE” (Luke 14:27-28). Bill Bright’s version of the Gospel begins with fluffing you up, making things about your life, your plan, your wonderful future, and makes God wait on YOU. But Jesus’ version of the Gospel is total surrender – laying your life down – and bear fruit for God.
THESE THREE YEARS I COME SEEKING FRUIT ON THIS FIG TREE, and FIND NONE: CUT IT DOWN
There is no fruit in Israel. Not like there should be. The Jews will not repent. But Jesus continues:
{The Dresser, Jesus} said unto {God}, Lord, LET IT ALONE THIS YEAR ALSO, TILL I SHALL DIG ABOUT IT, and DUNG IT: 9 And IF IT BEAR FRUIT, well
Jesus has been digging around Israel for three years. He has been fertilizing that nation with the Word of God. He asks the Father to wait till the next year. Both God the Father and God the Son are watching Israel – WILL THEY BEAR FRUIT? But if they won’t, the parable concludes:
and if not, THEN AFTER THAT THOU
SHALT CUT IT DOWN.
The Dresser is not going to cut it down. Jesus is not going to cut it down. God the Father will cut it down. And in 70 AD, Israel was cut down. The Temple was destroyed, and Israel was scattered to the four winds.
How Does This Apply To Us?
God is watching what He owns. God owns America. He established America, and has bestowed great gifts on us. What does He find in our nation today? Abortion. Sexual perversion. Political madness. Evolutionary silliness. Woke idiocy. What is the hope of the nation?
The Kingdom of Christ, His Church.
When God looks at your life, does He see fruit? If you are saved, God expects fruit. Jesus said “he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:34-38). Are you bearing fruit? In Mark 11:12-14 Jesus comes to a fig tree. The Bible says:
Mark 11:13-14 NKJV And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “LET NO ONE EAT FRUIT FROM YOU EVER AGAIN.” And His disciples heard it.
When Jesus looks at you, does all He find is leaves? Do you look like a fig tree, but have no fruit? God is not pleased. You can have
Church membership
A Bible
Christian language
A gold Cross hanging from your neck
God wants fruit. If you are saved, you are attached to Jesus. You are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Where is your fruit? What are you doing to glorify God, to magnify Jesus, to spread the Gospel truth throughout our community? God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but fruitful. God is looking to see if you are genuine. Are you walking with Jesus, not just on Sunday, but every day of the week?
God is watching us. He is digging around His Church. He is fertilizing America. He is looking in on Tennessee. He wants more than leaves. God wants fruit. Fruit cannot come without repentance, surrender to Jesus. It depends on your willingness to repent. Receive Jesus Christ today. Repent, and lay your life down at His feet. For the glory of God, and for the blessing of our nation.
Amen.
