I was a cocky kid growing up! I didn't think so at the time, but back then, I never thought about my mortality, or ever growing old. Growing old was for old people, and somehow I never pictured myself having to deal with the challenges that come when our bodies begin to show their age.
Likewise, I believe there are still many today that never think much about their own mortality. They're a good person, and God is a loving God and they're confident it will all work out in the end. Right? Hmm...
It seems there must have been some of those same people living back in the First Century as well; whose theology was based on works and just how good you were. Notice,
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”- Luke 13:1-5
The key word in this passage is, 'repent'. Jesus wants each of us to realize that living life as we think best will ultimately lead to disaster. For centuries, it seems, we've believed the old adage that a person will reap what they have sown- good brings blessing, while evil brings calamity down upon us, and Jesus has decided here to set the record straight!
He wants us to understand that we need to turn around and let Him set our values, direction, and lifestyle today. For each of us, left on our own to decide what we must do to be welcomed into heaven, will one day discover we were terribly wrong, but by then, it may be too late. Jesus went on to speak about this in Luke 13:24-28,
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out."
That will be an absolutely horrible day for some! Just imagine spending your whole life striving to be the best 'YOU' can be only to discover, your efforts were never good enough. O, I pray that will never be the case for anyone reading this today!
We need to heed Jesus' warning and repent — turn around, surrender our hearts and lives, and follow hard after Him.
Blessings,
sue