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In the news this week, there was a terrible bombing in Madrid, Spain with 192 killed and more than 1,400 injured. The terrorist attack was carried out with a series of 10 bombs hidden backpacks which exploded in quick succession, blowing apart four commuter trains. In Madagascar, a ferry sank in a cyclone killing all but 2 of its 113 passengers. Last week, a Ruston, LA. pastor’s wife and daughter were killed in an automobile accident. All these incidents have happened recently while the World Trade Center Attack is still in the back of your minds. With all this death, ... what is going on? Are Christians being punished for being disobedient? Are countries being punished for their sinful ways? Are individuals paying the price for a specific sin?

Jesus addresses these issues in the Gospel lesson today. Jesus calls you to repent of your sins,... or perish. But what does "repent" mean? This is the same word used by John the Baptist when he cried out "Repent and be baptized." Well,... "repentance" means being sorry for your sins, that is being contrite. If you want your sins to be forgiven, then you must feel sorry for your sins. But feeling sorry for your sins is not enough. You must also have faith in Jesus Christ that He forgives you of your sins. Only repentant believers receive the forgiveness of sins.

Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Scripture also tells us in Acts 3:19

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

Repentance is absolutely necessary, if you are not repentant, then your sins will not be forgiven.

Jesus begins today’s Gospel with an event that involved Pontius Pilate. This is the Pontius Pilate that would grant the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Cross. He may have tried to wash his hands from sentencing Christ to death, but Pontius Pilate should not be viewed as an innocent and peaceful man. The people ask Jesus a question.

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

The people are inquiring about an incident between Pilate and some Galileans who blood had been mixed with their animal sacrifices. At Passover, the Jews would take a lamb to the Temple and that would sacrifice a lamb. This was the only time of the year that lay people were allowed to sacrifice an animal in the Temple. Pilate sent his troops into the Temple and slaughter the Galileans, whose shed blood mixed with the blood of the slaughtered lambs. Murder is a terrible crime, but Pilate adds to it by killing them in the Temple. This is probably what the people are asking about when they question Jesus. Again Scripture states:

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Jesus answer sheds some light that often confuses Christians. The human nature in us wants to see people punished for their sins! Right! This fits in with the Law:

Deut. 19:21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

It is human nature to want to see a murder given a death penalty or to see a thief caught and put in jail. The people are showing Pilate for who he is, a murder! But Jesus flips it around back on to them. He doesn’t address Pilate’s sin, but the sins of the Galileans. He states: "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? There are many in this world that would think the Galileans were receiving punishment for some sin when they died, but Jesus answers emphatically "No!" These Galileans suffered death just like you will. The wages of sin is death. But if you don’t repent, you to will all perish!

Then Jesus tells this truth in another event that had happened and killed eighteen people. Jesus states:

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."

Jesus is making the same point in telling about this event. The first event was the direct result of man, that is..., Pilate sent his guards into the Temple to murder the Galileans. In this event, it is not the result of Pilate’s sin, but an accident. Jesus tells the people "do you think [those eighteen people] were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?" Jesus answers again with an emphatic "NO!" Again he states "But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Jesus is giving the people, and he’s giving YOU a warning. Repent, or you will perish. Because you are a sinner, you will die a physical death because the wages of sin is death, but if you want "eternal life" then you need to "repent" of your sins or you to will perish! All must repent and believe that the kingdom has come in Jesus. These death of these individual is not the result of a specific sin they have done, but it is of God’s wrath against all sinful humankind.

Jesus then teaches through the parable of the Fig Tree. Scripture states:

6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 "‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’"

The fig tree is planted in a vineyard. I remember traveling through California and seeing vineyard after vineyard, filled with many kinds of fruit trees. The purpose of a tree in a vineyard is to produce fruit. If it doesn’t produce fruit, then it is taking up space which could be occupied by a tree that does bear fruit. Trees in a vineyard are to bear fruit. You too, as a Christian, are to bear fruit! The owner of a vineyard expects fruit from his trees, just like God expects Christians to bear fruit. It is fitting for the owner of a vineyard to have a tree that does not produce fruit to be cut down and burned in a fire. Well, Jesus will return to separate the believers from the nonbelievers, with the nonbelievers being cast into the fire. But notice in this parable that the man who took care of the trees asked that it not be cut down, but give it another year and that he would devote his attention to this tree by digging around it and adding fertilizer. He is asking for a little more time for this tree to grow and to produce fruit.

What is this parable telling you? Well, God represented the owner of the vineyard. He is long suffering and patient, but he threatens punishment upon those not bearing fruit. He demands fruit in keeping with repentance. The man who takes care of the trees in the vineyard calls for an extension of time to see if with a little added attention, the tree will bear fruit. This extra time represents the intercessory work of Christ. Jesus Christ is your mediator. He came down from heaven to preach the message of repentance and salvation. There is still time to repent of your sins. Even as Christians, you still sin and you should still be repentant. Luther talks about returning to your Baptism daily in repentance so that you are reminded that you are a forgiven Child of God. This extra year that of digging around the tree and fertilizing it is what you need to be doing to the lost people out in the community. They are going to be cut down and cast into the fire at the Second Coming. We are all to play an important roll in taking the Gospel message out into the World, to the lost people. Jesus has given you faith through his Word and brings you the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Time is running out for the World. You have received an extension of time to bear fruit by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sooner or later, even the most loving patience of God will come to an end and the trees that do not bear fruit will be cast into the fires. We rejoice in our saving faith that was given to you. This is the Good News! People who have fruit trees are usually more than happy to share the fruit with friends and neighbors. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is far better than the juiciest orange, the sweetest apple, or perfectly ripen grapes. Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ this week while you live in this "extended time" which will come to an end. Amen.