Sermon Tone Analysis
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Scripture
Theme.
The need to Repent.
Introduction
I think we can all agree that it has been yet another difficult week in British politics and an absolute tragic week in NZ.
Even a new low?
Our hearts go out to the country and the families.
Maybe now the only way is up?
You can hardly engage in a conversion with a spouse, a family member, a neighbour, a friend or a complete stranger without some reference to these current affairs.
It would seem such things overshadow all else.
The UK Paper are full of headlines , “Chaos Reigns” “Mayhem” and “House of Fools”.
Those are the nicer ones.
“Chaos Reigns” “Mayhem” “House of Fools”
The NZ PM spoke yesterday of the darkest day in living memory for her country and a loss of its innocence.
Pause
Just imagine if Jesus was asked about such things and then said,
“Do you think those victims in NZ were worse sinners than you because of what happened to them or because they were muslim, I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
That would stop the conversation!
With respect, that is exactly how Jesus responds to a contemporary first century atrocity and disaster in Jerusalem, recorded in our scripture for today.
Atrocities and Disasters
Let us go through again.
It starts
(Slide)
Luke 13:1-
Atrocities and Disasters
Jesus was a Galilean
Remember Jesus spent most of his childhood around Galilee.
It was where His ministry started.
It was where he went back to, time and time again.
It was home for Jesus.
Jesus was a Galilean.
So were some of his first disciples
So it is not a surprise that such news should reach Him.
The Atrocity
Jesus was told about an atrocity where Pilate, through those under his command, had violated the temple and mingled the blood of worshippers (Galileans) with their sacrifices.
Could there be a worse violation of the Temple?
It was a sacred place
Just as a Mosque is for a Muslim.
A place of worship.
A place of prayer.
A place of sacrifice.
A place to meet God.
What had happened was headline news.
Jerusalem was buzzing with what had happened.
Jesus Response
Then Jesus says,
(Slide)
I am sure most of you know that in first century Israel the predominant thinking about tragic events was that they were a product of sin, that is your own sin.
The classic example for this thinking is shown in the counsel given by Job’s friends.
Basically they said, you must have done something wrong to bring this on yourself and family.
We are given in the book of Job a look behind the scenes into the Great Controversy between God and Satan.
Jesus is certainly using this atrocity to challenge that thinking.
I agree but I think there is more.
But there is more here.
You have to wonder if the Galileans would be viewed as martyrs?
The people were probably trying to reconcile these two things.
Tragedy because of my sin and being Martyrs.
And also gain Jesus opinion and hopefully condemnation of the Romans and their violation of the sacred Temple.
Jesus response is clear and cuts through all this, “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus response it not politically correct, but get to the heart of the matter.
Jesus focus is on Me
Jesus response it not politically correct.
But it gets to the heart of the problem
The bible makes it clear, We are all sinners before God.
The problem here is sin, and that problem affects all of us.
Jesus response puts the focus back on me
Not on them
But on me and my relationship with God.
Away from them!
To me.
Jesus does this time and time action in his interactions with people!
Remember what he said to Peter after reinstating him
He knows us so well.
We always want to talk about others and other things.
Jesus wants to talk about us and our relationship with Him.
The Disaster
Then Jesus continues and makes the same point again!
(Slide)
Luke 9:4-
Luke 13:4
This time it is not an atrocity, but a disaster, a “natural” disaster.
We heard this week of the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max fleet of planes after the tragic and fatal Ethiopian crash.
The second one for this type of aircraft.
Jesus responds to a contemporary disaster in the south of Jerusalem, near the pool of Siloam.
Atrocities
Man made Disaster
A tower had collapsed and 18 people had been killed.
Unless you repent something worse will happen to you.
Again, It must have been a headline news and Jerusalem must have been buzzing about it.
Jesus response is “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
The second time he has said such a think within a couple of verses.
Pause
The Greatest Tragedy of All
Jesus is not indifferent to tragedies or to atrocities in this world.
Jesus tells us to weep with those who weep.
Just as He did.
But Jesus is emphasising fundamental truths,
The Fragility of our Lives.
Today may be out last day.
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