Tue.’s Devo - “Except you Repent”

Read Luke 13:1-9 The people told Jesus of some Galileans that were so cursed Pilate killed them and used their blood for sacrifices. Jesus called them on it and asked them if they thought these Galileans were worse sinners than them just because this happened to them. He was trying to let them know that they were all sinners and all needed to repent or their life would not be esteemed any higher in heaven than the ones sacrificed to idols. Then Jesus referred to 18 men who were crushed when a tower near the pool of Siloam fell. I couldn’t find any information about that incident but I know that the pool of Siloam was a pool that was stirred by angels at certain times and when the waters moved all who went into the pool were believed to be healed. Siloam means “sent”. Jesus was the pool of Siloam - the “sent”one to stir the waters of the spirit and bring healing for all who came in. Obviously, by Jesus reference to it, he knew that the people thought the men who were killed were cursed also. Jesus once again brought them back to the statement that except YOU repent, you will die also. Then he gave them a parable to explain his point. A man had a fig tree that was totally unfruitful. The owner of the land told the gardener that he wanted the unfruitful tree dug up because it was taking up space. The gardener pleaded with the owner to give it one more year and he would cultivate the land around the tree and then see if it bears fruit. Jesus was talking about Israel. They were unfruitful and God was tempted to uproot them and plant a new people. Jesus, as the gardener, asked God for time so he could cultivate their hearts to receive the Word and maybe they would be fruitful again. The only way to do this was to repent and be born again. Lord, open our eyes to see that we were all sinners condemned to die until you came and redeemed us. Help us to live in a state of repentance and gratefulness.