Third Sunday in Lent March 11, 2007
Scripture	Luke 13:1-9 13 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
Devotional	Huh? This is my first reaction to Luke 13:1-9. This reading brings puzzlement like some of Jesus’ sayings do to the disciples. Most of the parables bring an ah-ha but this scripture is more ,”What did you say?” Even the disciples are no help, they do not act confused as usual. When the disciples do not ask for an explanation, it takes away my option to pretend I knew what Jesus meant all along. So, what does Jesus mean? These questions begin to surface: What is God up to? What is God up to in your world today? What is God up to in my life? Are we bearing fruit for God’s kingdom? So, what does Jesus mean? Jesus is telling us about God’s grace. Here God’s grace gives us another chance even when we deserve to be cut down. He is also telling us that there is someone watching out for us. Jesus is willing to negotiate for another year, another season for us. Even though we deserve to be cut down, Jesus is negotiating for our underserved salvation. Jesus is challenging us to look at God’s grace. When we feel we have everything in place, all our ducks lined up in a row, Jesus reminds us that it is God’s grace. Then there is a surprising confrontation, Jesus says that unless they repent, they will likewise perish. This is another example of how dealing with Jesus can turn dangerous. They were asking about the fate of others, and suddenly they are faced with their own fate. Their fate does not depend on the actions of a tyrant like Pilate or the poor workmanship of the bricklayers. Their fate is in their own hands. Jesus is not encouraging us to ignore those killed by an evil dictator or those who suffer because of a natural disaster but we are responsible for our relationship with God. Prayer: We are thankful for the second chances you offer us. Help us to continue to bear fruit for the kingdom.