Scripture
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
5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
Observation
Jesus laments the widespread disbelief among the Jews.
He also unwinds some wrong beliefs they had.
Suffering bad things in your life did not mean you were a bad person.
Those who suffered were no worse than anyone else.
(But those who did NOT suffer were not better either.)
Repentance was what distinguished the true believer.
What’s more, being around the “right” people did not make you better than others.
Just because you were in the temple or around the right teacher did not save you.
This was not an indicator of repentance.
Jesus wants all to repent.
He wants all to come under His salvation.
But they would not.
What’s more … eventually there will come a time of judgement.
Application
Doing good things is not the same as being good.
Eating and drinking in the presence of God does not make me Godly.
Being under the teaching of God does not make me Godly.
Repentance is the only way.
The narrow way of repentance.
Do I judge others for their so-called lack of godliness?
I must never judge based on appearances.
People … er, I am an awful judge of appearances.
God judges the heart … for repentance.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for gathering me under your wing
Thank you for saving me
In Jesus name
Amen