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At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 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? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." 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. 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?' He replied, "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.' " (Luke 13;1-9)
Fear of death, and a tragic one at that, drove some who were with Jesus to share with Him about how some Galileans had died. Jesus speaks about repentance. Jesus knew it was best to talk about new birth than tragic death. Repentance is surrendering to God for sins, and receiving God's grace and a new spiritual start in our life, a new birth as it were. And repentance is but the start of this new life, for it should be followed with fruitfulness; that of telling others what God has done for you and praying they will do the same, and thus the kingdom grows. The other option is to not repent and to perish in a sad way.
You and I are given new opportunities each day to confess our sins to God and to ask that we be forgiven. We are also allowed to start over and go forward and upward in our lives, telling others the goodness and mercy that God has for all who would but ask.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess I am a sinner, please remove that sin from my life. I ask that I might turn away from this sin and move towards You and the fullness of life that You offer to me. Help me to be fruitful today in all things with all people. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
