Luke 13: 1-5 Note: This message was prepared and delivered during the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. Though the illustrations center around this time, the truths of the message can be adapted for other situations. The truths are unchanging.
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1 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, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 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 ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. September 11, 2001. It was a day that Americans will never forget. It was a day that changed our way of life forever, a day that destroyed our sense of invincibility. When the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center and the walls of the Pentagon fell to the ground, citizens feared what would become of their great country. Thoughts turned to religion and to the Bible. How could a loving God let this happen? How can Christians continue to worship a God who presides over such destruction and catastrophe? Churches opened their doors Tuesday evening for prayer and meditation. Attendance was much higher the next Sunday because of those seeking answers. Many found ministers preaching psychology and liberal doctrines that give no answers and no comfort. Their "feel-good" religion would not work in this situation.. While mankind struggles to understand, the Bible itself has answers to our questions. I direct you to Luke 13:1-5. This passage seems on the surface to be a "hard" saying in the midst of tragedy. But if you examine this text in its entirety, I believe you will come away with a sense of God's message to us today in the face of our current circumstances.
13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. 18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. 19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. 20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
We also know that Christ Himself cared for the sufferings of those with whom He came in contact. He never met an infirmed person that He did not heal completely. The blind, the leper, the woman with the issue of blood all were recipients of His compassion. The Bible tells us in Psalm 86:15 "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Thirdly, we know that God cares because of His compassion for His New Testament people. He invites us to cast our cares upon Him, "for he careth for you." He tells us in Hebrews 4:15: " For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
have lived in fear for all their lives, never sure of their safety from day to day. But America has been immune from such fear. Until now. Except ye repent... Just as we have placed out trust in our nation for our physical safety, Jesus tells us that we must put our trust in Him for our spiritual safety. Each of the victims in our passage and every victim of America's terrorist attack went out to meet God ---whether ready or not! Repentance is changing our mind about ourselves and God. We are NOT good or righteous. We are as sinful as those who drove the jets into the side of the building, according to the Word of God. God is holy, righteous, worthy of honor and glory! He is our Maker, and He is the One who holds our lives in His hand. It is time that Americans recognized Him for Who He is! It is time Americans repent! Must we endure such suffering to see ourselves as God sees us?
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. John 3:15-17 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.