Luke 13:1-9
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." 6 And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' 8 And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Questions for Reflection
1. What connection do many people make between how bad they are and how much they suffer?
2. When was a time you felt that God was letting you suffer because you had sinned?
3. What explanation for the tragedy did Jesus propose? (13:2)
4. How did Jesus reply to His own question? (13:3)
5. What were Jesus’ listeners to learn from the two stories? (13:3-5)
6. Why do we often assume that people suffer because they are uniquely bad?
7. What people or groups of people do we sometimes blame for their suffering?
8. What’s wrong with saying that people suffer because of how sinful they are?
9. *What can we do to keep from judging people by their circumstances?
10. What did Jesus mean by His warning, "But unless you repent, you too will all perish"?
11. What second chances have you been given?
12. What can we learn from this parable?
