Loving God, in spite of the rebelliousness of many of your children, you come to us in love, showing us the way of salvation through Jesus.  Keep us rooted and grounded in you, empowering us by your Spirit to go and bear fruit, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            Today, as Jesus continues his journey toward Jerusalem, people come up to him and tell him about some pretty dastardly deeds that are going on.  We hear about Pontius Pilate, who apparently had murdered some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem.  We also hear about Herod, who apparently wants to kill Jesus.  And then we hear about a tower that fell and killed eighteen people – also in Jerusalem.

         In response to the first report that Jesus receives – the one about the Galileans who were murdered by Pilate – Jesus hears the question that is lurking in the background – the “why?” question.  Why did this happen to them?  Was God punishing them for something?  Did they somehow deserve this kind of death?

         Just as he does in other situations (e.g. Jn. 9:2-3), Jesus affirms that this terrible thing that happened was not a punishment for their sins.  In the same way, says Jesus, the people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them were also not being punished for their sins.  Now, were these people sinners? – of course they were – but no worse than anybody else.  And “unless you repent,” says Jesus, “you will all perish just as they did” (Lk. 13:5).

         While this may seem like a pretty ominous warning, what Jesus is saying is that all people need to repent when it comes to their relationship with God.  However, in the case of these people who died very suddenly, they no longer had the time available to repent.  Still, God is merciful.  This seems to be what Jesus is communicating in the parable about the fig tree.

         It has been three years with no fruit, and the owner is about ready to cut down this fig tree.  It seems to be a thinly veiled reference to Israel – which is described as God’s vineyard and also as an unfruitful fig tree by the prophets (Jer. 8:13; Hos. 9:10; Mic. 7:1).  It may also be a reference to Jesus’ ministry, which lasted about three years.  At any rate, the gardener intercedes and gains a little more time for the tree to bear fruit.

         Meanwhile, Jesus continues on his way to Jerusalem – the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers – the city where Herod is lurking and plotting to kill Jesus.  Yet, as Jesus laments over this rebellious city, it is a lament of love for all of God’s children.  “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Lk. 13:34).

         Picture that for just a moment – a mother hen who gathers her chicks under her wings, keeping them warm and safe, and some of the chicks saying, “No!  Get out of my way!  I’m outta here!”  Isn’t this pretty hard to imagine?  Yet, this is the image that Jesus uses.  God is like the mother hen, gathering the children under her wings in order to keep them warm and safe, and the children downright refuse.  What an amazing image of God’s love for a contrary and rebellious people.

         It is because of this love, it seems, that Jesus continues on his journey toward Jerusalem – in spite of threats posed by Herod or Pilate; in spite of the city’s reputation for violence against God’s prophets; in spite of the contrary and rebellious people who are there.  It is love that leads Jesus toward the cross and toward salvation for all people.

         In the meantime, we are invited to hear the call to repentance, the call to bear fruit, and the call to allow God’s wings to gather us in.  Just like the people who were talking to Jesus in today’s gospel, we, too, need to repent.  We need to turn away from all of those things that draw us away from God and to head in a new direction.  In fact, we need to do this – not just once, but many times – for it is so easy to go astray.  And, says Jesus, repentance is always better now than later – for anything can happen between now and then.

         At the same time, we are reminded of the call to go and bear fruit.  Whether it is a fig tree or branches on the vine, what good are fruit trees or grapevines that don’t bear fruit?  This is the question that is being asked in the parable – and the reason that the owner wants to get rid of the tree and put in something else.  There is still time because of God’s mercy, but that time will come to an end.

         For now, this fruit that we might produce is the fruit of the Spirit – things like love, joy, peace, patience and generosity (Gal. 5:22-23).  These are the things that show up in our lives and enable us to share the love of Jesus with others – all by the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is also the purpose of sheltering under God’s wings – not to stay there permanently, but to be refreshed and renewed and empowered to head out into the world that God loves in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

Lent 2 (NL 3)                                    Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

February 28, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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