Title: Jesus Speaks of Opportunity for Repentance
I would like to express my gratitude and pray that it will be an opportunity for us to reflect on ourselves while looking back on the past of the past year. Also, I pray that it will be a time of determination and determination to spend the next year faithfully before the Lord with a new resolution when another year comes with water of reflection and repentance.
In the past year, we look back on many things that we regret and suffer in front of many problems. Many disasters have come. Even in these circumstances, the Church of God has given greater grace. In a word, our weakness makes us discouraged in such an era when we cannot see even an inch ahead. But we confess that the reason we do not fall is because the Lord our God has always protected us.
Let's take a look through the Word of what kind of attitude and attitude we should spend this year as we repent of the year.
In today's text, through the parable of the fig tree that does not bear fruit, Jesus is telling us that unless we repent, we will perish.
1. If you do not repent, you will perish (13:1-5).
Once, some people came to Jesus and accused Pilate of atrocities (Luke 13:1-5). What the accusation was, he told Jesus that Pilate had slaughtered a Galilean in Israel, and the blood was mixed with the sacrifice they were going to offer. At this time, Jesus asks the question, do you think that the Galileans who were sacrificed were being sacrificed because they sinned more than the Galileans who were not sacrificed? He says that unless you also repent, you will all perish like that.
Also, in verse 4, the question is, do you think the 18 people who were struck to death when the tower in Siloam were toppled were guilty of more sins than the other people living in Jerusalem? He is saying that you too will perish if you do not repent.
Jesus is speaking more clearly emphasizing the fact that unless we repent, we will perish, and that will be today's text.
2. Parable of the barren fig tree (6-9)
The text of the text recorded from verse 6 is as follows. A man has planted a fig tree in his vineyard. After a while, the owner went to see if he could get fruit from the tree. But there was no fruit. At that time, the owner said to the vineyard keeper who was working in the vineyard, that he had waited for three years to get fruit from this tree, but in vain. So the order was to destroy the tree. If you occupy it with the land for nothing, it is a loss. At that time, the vineyard keeper said, “Please be patient for one more year.” He said he would give him manure and take good care of it. If there is still no fruit at that time, I said, “Go and cut it.”
Jesus told a parable similar to the above. What is the lesson from this parable?
First, it is the truth that if we do not repent, we will perish.
The purpose of Jesus coming to this earth was to save the repentant people of God. To repent means to turn around. Don't just turn your mind and heart. You also have to look at your actions.
Today's text is primarily about believing that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, but many people at that time did not believe. So, repent of your sins and believe in Jesus.
(Mark 2:17) "When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call a physician, but sinners."
Only those who confess that they are sinners before God will repent to God. The Bible speaks.
(Matt 9:13) says, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In the meantime, when we look back on our past for a year, if there is anything we need to repent of before God, let's repent. It is the most beautiful thing when you repent. The Old Testament expression of repentance is “return to the Lord”. He tells the people who have left the bosom of God to return, that is, to repent.
Second, let's do our best when given the opportunity.
The owner tells you to uproot a tree that has not yielded fruit for three years. That is, to judge. But the vineyard keeper pleads. I ask for one more chance. If you do not bear fruit even after giving the opportunity for one year, then there is no more opportunity. Let's rely on God when he gives us a chance. Let's be faithful when God gives us the health to be loyal Opportunities do not continue to be given to us.
Now, Jesus Christ has come to this earth as the Son of God and Savior, but we do not believe in Jesus Christ, but rather try to mislead Him. So Jesus said that now is the day of salvation.
(2 Corinthians 6:2) “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Third, we must learn the mercy of God, who is patient and withholds judgment.
We laugh at God that His judgment does not come upon us right now. By the way, they mistakenly believe that he is such a God. Even though I have sinned, I act as I please because the punishment does not fall on me right now. But keep in mind that God's way no longer tests the patience of God. God is giving us a chance. There will come a time when that opportunity will one day disappear.
“May the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious; the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD make his face shine upon you and give you peace. Say you will.” (Numbers 6:25-26)