"Fig Fruit"

July 26, 2013

“Fig Fruit”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 13:1-9

(You notice that there are readings in Matthew and Mark. Remember that in the NET Bible Synopsis of the Four Gospels that the “smaller font” readings are not direct parallels to the main reading, but related somehow. In this case, the relation is that fig trees are being talked about. This is a good example. In the main reading, Jesus is using a fig tree in a parable. In the other accounts there is an actual event. Big difference.)

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Some people reported to Jesus about a massacre.
Apparently, Pilate had killed some Galileans, Jews, while they were in the actual act of sacrificing - their blood was mixed with the blood of the sacrifice.

We can glean from Jesus’ response that the people were assuming that the ones killed were “greater sinners” than others.

Jesus cuts to the question and answer with His first question.

Do you suppose that these Galileans were (greater) sinners than all Galileans because they suffered this?”

The unsaid answer is “No”.

But, Jesus went further.

He trumpeted a call for repentance.

Unless you repent, you too will die.

He then gives another example.

A tower fell on 18 people and killed them. An actual event.

Were these 18 “worse culprits”?
Jesus answers this one. “No.”

But unless you repent, you will perish.

The first incident was the evil of man.
The second incident was an example of the accidents of life.
Both still occur today.
The evil of man.
The “accidents” of life.

Jesus then gave a parable...using a fig tree.
Often, the fig tree is used as a picture of Israel/Jews.

If the tree is unfruitful it will be cut down.
If it is fruitful it will remain.

Are you fruitful...the fruit of the Spirit?