Well And Good (Luke 13:9)

 




Tuesday, March 18, 2025


Psalms 41; 44:1-9

Genesis 43:15-34

Luke 13:1-9


Observance: Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and teacher (d. 386)


Well And Good (Luke 13:9)


Jesus is continuing his words on revival, and he is continuing to bring together two facts that shouldn’t necessarily work together at the same time. Yesterday’s paradox came about from the bringing together of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. Today Jesus brings the urgent need for repentance together with God’s patience.


The order in which these two seemingly opposite facts come is what brings them into clarity. Jesus begins with the urgency for repentance: “but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” is such a common phrase of his that Saint Luke records him saying it twice. And the circumstances are horrific. Jews, faithfully offering sacrifices, were attacked by Roman soldiers and butchered in the temple. Meanwhile, a tower in the city had fallen, crushing the people in the pool below. “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”


Jesus’ top priority, the main thrust of his message, is to draw people to repentance and faith and, therefore, eternal life in him. But he doesn’t leave us there; he then gives us something to hold as an encouragement.


If we do all the works of the kingdom, of keeping up with our prayer life, and Bible study; if we not only minister to one another with deeds of Christian service but minister by proclamation of the gospel in public evangelism; if we soak our beds with our tears asking, with the saints in heaven, “how long, O Lord?”; and yet still see no sign of revival, then we have this parable of Jesus.


Look, the tree has not borne any fruit. Look, what use is it? Look, why does not God just simply chop it down and throw it into the fire? Enter the vine-dresser, who will do more to prepare the tree for fruit, and therefore giving us not only more time, but more chance of success. This is not to say that we can ignore what Jesus said earlier and put off our repentance for another year; rather, this parable is for us who pray God would bring more people to repentance. God is sovereign; God holds us responsible; both are true. Also true is the fact that God gives us the grace necessary to fulfil our responsibility, as the vine-dresser cares for the tree.


Have you repented and come into eternal life in Christ? Who are you asking God to do the same for? How is Christ giving you the grace to continue in labouring for revival?


Lord of the vineyard, who desires that none should perish but that all should repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ: bring about the fire of revival in our land, and give us the grace to do our part in your great work of redemption.

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