April 18, 2024
Pastor Darin Youngberg
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Daily Bread
Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 by Bro_D
Daily Bread Sept. 20, 2017
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Beginning in the 12th chapter and continuing into the 13th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching about being ready for what IS TO COME – not what might be coming. He tells the folks that they ought to be able to recognize the signs of their time (12:56) and He reminded them of the great divisiveness and trouble that would come upon them. In chapter 13, we hear of 2 horrific events – the slaughter of many Galileans and a tower in Siloam falling – the context implies these were recent events and the person giving the information may be asking if these were examples of what Jesus was speaking of in chapter 12.
Twice Jesus tells them that repentance was required or all would perish. Not once did He say, “You better start living a better life.” Or, “Repeat this prayer….”. Nope … He said .. “Repent!” The word simply means a change of mind (“meta” = change & “noeo” = mind). It does not mean to be sorry – that comes from repentance. It simply means that you have seen that your way is wrong and that the way of LORD is the only way and you will now seek to follow that way and you will set your mind to follow that way. We are called to repentance by the LORD Himself, He reveals the wickedness that is in our heart, He doesn’t suggest repentance, He calls (commands) us to repentance. He does it twice to this crowd of people – and throughout His earthly ministry He never missed an occasion to call people to repent. We also know that by His Spirit He continues to do the same.
What great love He has for us that He would continually remind, warn and call us to repentance! We really see this love when we see the result of the unrepentant – “all will perish.” The root word used here means utter destruction! Evidently, the LORD wanted these folks to understand the seriousness of repentance! Without repentance, eternal life will literally be hell. (Pun intended!)
One last note about this text …. It got me to thinkin’ --- I’ve heard many “Christian” folk talking about the recent number of natural disasters and how they may or may not be linked to God’s judgment. (1) Jesus says there will be signs in the heavens and many natural disasters – they are signs that are pointing to His coming for His bride --- they are meant to cause us to be ready, to recognize the urgency of the day --- they are not great judgments. (2) Jesus tells us what we are to be focusing on – not the signs, not the disastrous events --- we are to be focusing on and calling for repentance! Please don’t get caught up in all the craziness of numerology, speculations and planetary alignment and MISS THE POINT OF what it is all calling for – our repentance. You could very well see all the signs, enjoy all the wonderful scenes in the sky, be fully knowledgeable about every disaster and still live an eternity in hell! Revelation 16:15 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")