Repent or Perish

Reading: Luke 13: 1-9
(Sermon preached on March 1, 2009. Rev. Varinder Kumar)

Our God is persistent lover. It is His holy will that no one should perish but all must repent and turn away from their wicked ways. That’s why He sent His prophets, judges, servants and John the Baptist and finally He Himself came down from heaven to earth. He offered His life for our redemption. The Lenten season reminds us when we were still sinners, Lord Jesus Christ died for us and He paid the penalty of our sins. Traditionally, Lenten season is seen as the time of repentance, abstinence, prayer & fasting, seeking faith, studying Word of God, examining ourselves and remembering His suffering and death. Our today’s portion of meditation is related to Lenten season. “Repent or Perish”. In the reading, we see a small parable Lord Jesus Christ spoke with very deep meaning.

Vv. 1-5. Some people told Lord Jesus Christ that Pilate had killed some Galileans when they were sacrificing in the Temple. (Lord Jesus Christ belongs to same region). Lord Jesus Christ added one more example in V.4, that of 18 people who died when tower of Siloam fell upon them. Lord Jesus Christ told them that one day every one has to die. Everyone is mortal. Answers to How? When? Where? are unknown. Therefore, before one dies, s/he must repent before it will be too late, yes, we must repent.

He spoke this parable.

• We are planted by God: - A fig tree was planted by man. This fig tree had an advantage over other fig trees as it was planted in a vineyard, in better soil, had special care, belonged to owner, purchased, paid money to caretaker & for fertilizer. The inference we draw here is that a. God is owner of the vineyard. He is our creator (Jn. 15:1, Is. 51: 1-2). b. Human beings are trees. He has planted us, chosen us to bear fruit of righteousness (Ps. 1, Ps. 37:35, Jn. 15:16). He has purchased us by paying the price of the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. He has planted us with the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. He has given the water of His Holy Spirit and fertilized us with His Word.
  

• God is bearing with us:-Three times owner came and found no fruit. He wasn’t hasty nor greedy, neither did he expect too much. He waited for three years and found none. Through this, Lord Jesus Christ is telling us that God has chosen you, given you special care, special privilege, special advantage than other people. He became human for us. He completed His three years ministry on this earth but people didn’t repent and not show fruit. He expects that we must bear the fruit bearing with repentance. (Luke 3: 8) “
  

• His patience has an limits:- Owner said “V. 7b. Cut it down…..” But Gardner intercedes on behalf of the tree that “V. 8. Lord, let it alone this year also……” a. Lord Jesus Christ is our interceder Rom.8:34. He is interceding to Father for us. We must also intercede for others. b. Fig tree was only wasting time, money, energy and space of the owner. Like a parasite it was taking but in return giving nothing to owner. It was sure that after three years fig tree bears fruit, if not in 1st year or 2nd year but third year was sure.
  

Dear friends, we are planted by God, purchased by the blood of Lord Jesus Christ, watered by His Holy spirit, fertilized by His Holy Word to bear fruit. If we only take from God or always place demands before Him and in return give nothing to Him than we are parasite. He expects that we must bear fruit.

Conclusion: -
Friends, if we are bearing fruits for Him than praise God, But If we are not than this the waking call for us. We are not sure when He will come to judge us.
Because His word says “Cut it down” Jn. 15:2; Math. 3:8, 10; Ps. 1:4-5; Rev. 22:2