Devotional Day #28: Luke 13:1-5

This Devotional message is part of the Clayton Church Value-Based Discipleship series, which was launched on Sunday 23 July 2017. View the series index here.

Passage: Luke 13:1-5

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered,

Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Scripture

From the context of our Clayton Church value of Everyday Moments, Jesus’ words stand out in a slightly dramatic fashion – his final words from verse 5 – unless you repent, you too will all perish. God’s judgement is near and final.

My Words

Jesus learnt through some of the people following him that one of the current day atrocities being talked about was how Pilate had corrupted and interfered in the sacrificial ceremonies of the Jews. Jesus’ reaction was to challenge the assumption and implicit thinking among the crowd. He questioned if the crowd were trying to compare whose sins were greater/worse and rebuked them for doing so. Instead, Jesus took the opportunity to teach again that true repentance of the heart, and turning back to God was the only way to conduct their lives and receive salvation. Jesus made reference to the falling of a tower in the south of Jerusalem: Siloam and how that incident resulted in 18 deaths. In raising this event, he asked rhetorically whether those who died were in anyway more at fault and to be blamed. In talking about this, Jesus again reiterated his main message that repentance was key to growing and receiving God’s forgiveness and gift of salvation.

What I Discovered

This passage has specific insights relevant to the Clayton Church value of Everyday Moments:

  1. Jesus values repentance and our considers our heart condition paramount to our faith
  2. Jesus desires our obedience and sincerity in upholding His ways and laws.

Obedience Step:”I Will”

I will pursue humility and ensure that if there are areas/reasons

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