3/12 Luke 13:4-5

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."

Some people told Jesus the news of Pilate mixing the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices. Jesus saw the attitude of those who told Him the news as suggesting that those Galileans were being judged for some of the evil they had done. Jesus reminded them of others in Jerusalem who had died when a tower collapsed on them. Were they being judged because they were more evil than everyone else living in Jerusalem? Jesus emphatically stated that this was not the case.

Death will come to us all. God has numbered our days. The manner in which we die is not indicative of our degree of sinfulness. Every person is a sinner. Every person will stand before God to be judged. When the people suggested these who died were worse sinners, they were downplaying their own sinfulness and need of repentance. Jesus said they would all likewise perish if they did not repent. That generation would see the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army. Thousands would be crucified along the roads because they sought an earthly kingdom and rejected the heavenly one.

People often express the thought, "I'm not as bad as so-and-so." Comparing ourselves with others is a foolish endeavor. We should be comparing ourselves to the one perfect person, Jesus. Then we would all see how far we have to go and recognize our need of repentance. The very next account in Luke warns of the impending judgment upon Israel if the nation does not bear fruit unto God.

Consider: When we hear of others who have died suddenly in an accident or by illness, we can't help but wonder about their spiritual state. It should cause us to ask ourselves: Am I seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? (Matthew 6:33)