Scripture

“No, I tell you: unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”

Observation

Some people tell Jesus about some Galileans whom Pilate has had killed. Jesus asks them, “Do you think that they were worse sinners than anyone else? Unless you repent you will all perish as they did.”

Jesus tells a parable of a man who had a fig tree that refused to bear fruit. He tells the gardener to cut it down. The gardener asks him to give the tree another year in which he will fertilise it. If it doesn’t bear fruit then he will cut it down.

Application

Part of our sinful nature is that we try to minimise our sin by comparing ourselves favourably with other people. I might sin, but at least I don’t do that terrible thing. When others suffer it must be because they did something awful to deserve it.

We can assume that just because we aren’t judged or punished now, then we can’t be too bad. The fig tree got another chance, but its fate was not guaranteed. The time of reckoning will come.

While offering us another chance, God makes it clear that there is not an infinite number of chances.

The only remedy for sin is to take it seriously and trust in the forgiveness that God offers us in Christ. We are then in a position to be able to receive His ongoing work of sanctification which makes us more like Him.

Prayer

Father forgive me for judging others as more sinful than me. Help me to be honest with you about the state of my soul. Thank you that Jesus died for my sin. Amen.

Scripture

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Observation

Some Pharisees come to Jesus with a warning that Herod wants to kill Him. Jesus tells them to tell “that fox” that He is curing people and working miracles until the third day when His work is done. He must go to Jerusalem because it is there that prophets are killed.

Jesus laments over Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets sent to it. He longs to gather her children together, but they will not see Him until the time is right.

Application

Jesus was very aware that His mission was to die in order to be the sacrifice for our redemption.

He resolutely walked onwards to Jerusalem, not flinching from His purpose.

As christians, we need to be certain of God’s purpose for our lives. He tells us that we must die to ourselves, allowing Him to live in us and through us.

Prayer

Lord I confess my selfish ambition to you. It is not easy to die to my own desires. Please help me to live for you and you alone. Amen.

Scripture

“Truly no prophet is accepted in his home town.”

Observation

In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah and then announces that this Scripture has been fulfilled. The people are amazed at His words.

Jesus then goes on to say that they will want to see a sign like the miracles He performed in Capernaum. He says that no prophet is accepted in his home town and gives examples from scripture where it was Gentiles who were healed not Israelites.

This infuriates the people, and they drive Him to the top of a hill to throw Him over the cliff. But Jesus just passes though them and continues on His way.

Application

The reaction of the people in Jesus’ home town seems extreme. From approval they move quickly to deadly rage. I believe that this must have had some kind of demonic origin in order to stir up such rage.

Part of the problem is that Jesus did not fit into the box of their expectations of the Messiah. They wanted miracles on demand, but He refused to play their game.

God never fits into our expectations. We want Him safely locked into a box to be pulled out when required. But God is bigger than our boxes, and His plans are more comprehensive than we can imagine.

Prayer

Lord please help me to pull back from putting demands and limitations on you. Amen.