Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

(sermon note:

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 round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’

This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about when God asked Peter why he let the last three men into heaven. God said, “Why did you let that priest who stole from the church in?” Peter said, “The priest showed letters from the congregation documenting how he spent his last 30 years not only paying back triple what he took but serving the church for no compensation. I think he has properly repented.” Then God asked, “Okkk, but why let in that murderer?” Peter responded, “That man showed proof that the person he killed was secretly a child molester who was abusing his three underage daughters and then got away with it when he forced them to lie in court about it. I think he was fairly justified in what he did.” God agreed. “Ok, ok, but what about the guy you just let in who never believed in me? I saw him come up to you and you let him in after he just showed you his hand. What could he possibly have shown you to keep from being sent to Satan?” Peter said, “Oh that guy? Well, there’s nothing I could do. When I saw his wedding ring, I realized something. He had already spent an eternity in hell!”

And no, in case you were wondering, my marriage is doing just fine these days. Perhaps that’s why I can joke about marriages that feel like eternal hells! I feel sorry for those stuck in such marriages and pray that they can resolve their grievances and continue to bear fruit together. Contrary to what they may believe, marriages are a gift from God and really can bring out the best in two people. Of course, they can also bring out the worst in two people so there have to be checks and balances in place to encourage supportive behavior rather than destructive behavior. But two people intimately covenanted to each other can create some pretty powerful things in this world. I will always stick by the wisdom of scripture that says, “two are better than one.” (Eccl. 4:9) But that’s neither here nor there…

Peter let all three men into heaven for various reasons, but I’d like to focus on why he let that priest in. He said, “I think he has properly repented.” This whole idea of repentance is foundational to both our reading for this morning and this season of Lent that we’re working through. In our reading, we heard how Jesus himself was calling the people of Jerusalem to repent and seek forgiveness for their wayward ways, not something Jesus was prone to do. It was a calling more familiarly attributed Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist. John had no problem going throughout the Galilean region and getting people to repent as a way of preparing for the coming of Jesus. But Jesus rarely called for people to repent and change their ways. Perhaps he assumed people would naturally want to change their ways after meeting him. But not all people feel shame for their wayward ways even if they have an encounter with Jesus. Many people justify their wayward ways or don’t consider them wayward at all. Many people can’t or won’t trust in the life Jesus has to offer them in exchange for their repentance. Many people just don’t want to feel remorse or sorrow so there is little to motivate them to change. Heaven knows there were plenty of these types of people whom Jesus encountered throughout Jerusalem.

The thing about wayward ways, sinful ways, is that they’re slowly killing those they’re caught up in. Sin is an insidious killer; it kills from within. It prevents a person from bearing fruit and experiencing true joy in this world. That’s why Jesus offered the parable of the fig tree after he called the people of Jerusalem to repent. For three years, the fig tree hadn’t produced any fruit and the tree’s owner wanted to cut it down and be done with it. But the gardener intervened and offered to give the tree a little extra help by way of a water trench and manure. No doubt the tree went on to grow and bear fruit again. From God’s perspective, the entire city of Jerusalem had become a non-bearing fig tree, and Jesus was intervening on its behalf as a good and faithful gardener. Jesus gave his life for Jerusalem to bear fruit yet again.

Before we can properly bear fruit, we must first repent and feel remorse for our sinful ways. That insidious sin is within us all and it needs Jesus’ extra help to overpower it. With Jesus, we can properly and abundantly bear fruit. Repentance is a core Lenten discipline along with prayer and fasting. We ought to use these brief 5 weeks to express sincere regret or remorse for our sinful ways. Only then will sin be rendered powerless over us. The book of Acts tells us, “repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” (3:19) Repentance is the first step to salvation. Peter tells us in his 2nd letter, “the Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” (3:9) Jesus intervenes on all our behalf when he goes to the cross. He IS patient yet awfully generous!

Incidentally, Jesus’ imagery of a hen gathering her brood in the reading must have subliminally resonated with me this week because I became the proud owner of 5 chickens this week. My wife suggested a few weeks ago that we get some chickens as a clever solution to the steep prices of eggs these days. A little research and asking around and wham! We bought 5 chicks this week. Perhaps the motherly hen within me was begging to be released! We’ll see how this plays out in the weeks and months ahead…

In the meantime, we’ll continue on our Lenten journey encouraged to have penitent hearts. Let us trust that Jesus will gather us, too, as a hen gathers her brood and give thanks for it. Thanks be to God!

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.