Luke 13, Part 1

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Observation: The Jewish people have believed that a person's suffering is parallel to their sins; therefore a person who suffers much, sinned much, and is suffering the consequenses of their actions. This had also been the belief of Job's friends. Jesus explains that these events show how fragile life is, but to change the tragedy of death to the blessing of life, repentance is needed. Jesus then calls for national repentance, because what is important is not our life now, but judgement after death.

Application: Repentance is one of the difficult parts of Christian life; it means admitting our mistakes, our failures, our sins. We easily see sin in others but have much trouble seeing sin in ourselves. Yet this passage tells us repentance is imperative or else we will perish.

Prayer: Father, I know I'm a sinner, unworthy to even look up to heaven and Your Holy Throne. Yet when it comes to admitting my sins, I hesitate. I don't like pointing out my frailties and struggles to please You. You don't expect perfection from me; You want humility. I'm sorry, Father, because each day I grieve You with my thoughts, attitude and actions. Give me wisdom to reject that which pains You, and seek what glorifies You. Keep me from walking in sin. In Christ Jesus' name I pray, Amen.