Luke 13

Call to Repent

¹Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 

²And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 

³"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 

⁴"Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 

⁵"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, often ask the question, "Why do bad things happen?" Very few people, however, actually turn to the Bible to diligently search for an answer. But the Scriptures are replete with answers as to why bad things happen in our fallen world. The above passage of scripture speaks perhaps more openly about disasters than any other. And Jesus refrains from speaking about anything but the most important issue at hand: that of the salvation of his hearers. Even if no earthquake ever again occurs or another typhoon ever struck land, we will all still one day die and stand before our Creator to be judged. Yes, eternal salvation should be our focus, not earthly safety.

The following excerpt was taken from The Abridged Commentary of the Bible by Matthew Henry (1668-1714). I have bolded one line in particular that struck me as very relevant in light of all the collapsed buildings in this earthquake in China. We all seem to want more and bigger houses, and development that will enrich us for a lifetime, but what can be the result of such top-heavy manmade inventions? Being crushed by them.

Henry commented on the above passage from Luke 13:1-5:

"Mention was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans. This tragical story is briefly related here, and is not met with in any historians. In Christ's reply he spoke of another event, which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away by sudden death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be men's destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great sinners. As no place or employment can secure from the stroke of death, we should consider the sudden removals of others as warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call to repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we shall perish."