Scripture
No, I tell you again that unless you repent you will perish too.”

Observation
Jesus is told that some Galileans had been murdered by Pilate as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. Jesus warns the crowd that they must not think these people were more sinful than anybody else. Equally the people who perished when a tower fell on them were not necessarily worse sinners than anyone else.

He warns us that we must repent or we will perish too.

Jesus goes on to tell a parable of a fig tree which fails to bear fruit. After three years of disappointment the owner instructs the gardener to vut the tree down. The gardener asks for the tree to be given one more chance, and if it still fails to bear fruit then he will cut it down.

Application
We can tend to assume that when people experience great suffering it must be a sign of God's disfavour. Jesus tells us that we must not do that. We can't know that people killed either by assassination or by accident really deserve it.

Our focus should not be on God's dealings with other people but on His dealings with us. I must take responsibility for my relationship with God. Even Christians need to repent and put things right with God.

Judgement is real. God will not continue to let sin abound.

Prayer
Lord Jesus I thank you that you have paid the price for my sin. Thank you for your infinite grace to me. Amen.