Jesus says this two times in a row--listen up. (March 3, 2025)

Listen:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/ef4caeea/jesus-says-som...

I recently heard we all have three lives - life in the womb, life once we're born, and life eternal--which we will live somewhere.1 Easy to understand, illuminates what Jesus prioritizes in these few verses in Luke 13.

But first, a prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us read this passage slowly so as to understand what was being said and what you would have us understand. And of course, Holy Spirit, illumine our hearts and minds about any action we ought take. Thank You for your life-altering precious Word. Amen.

Luke writes, "About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2) “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3) Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 4) And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5) No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”2

Jesus addressed two tragedies in which people had been killed, and said, 'unless you repent, you will perish, too. And no, they were not worse sinners than you that God allowed these things. But remember I recently told you You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'”3

I tend to live life in the ready position. What do I mean by that? Read on. And I endeavor to keep short accounts with the Lord--maybe that's partly because I have had a couple near 'misses'.

For those new to the faith or just checking it out, (I think of a cab driver friend, Hakim, in Boston, a Lyft driver named Buntha, also Boston, an airport worker I met in Atlanta and ... and ... several others, but you get the idea. You see, in our community of readers are people who have believed in Jesus Christ for decades and others who are determining if Jesus truly is who and what he said he was, 'the Way, the Truth and the Life and 'that no one comes to the Father except through him.'4

Now Luke was not saying Jesus was unconcerned that people died, but instead wanted them to consider the conditions of their souls - as death comes for every man. Twice Jesus mentioned repentance, but referred to two different kinds of repentance. The first repent in verse 3, from its Greek root word referred to continuing repentance, whereas the word repent in verse 5 came from a Greek root word that referred to once and for all repentance.

You and I are meant to be people of both.

You repent (verse 5) when you realize that you are a sinner and fall short of the holiness of God, but understand that God had mercy on you and gave you a way of salvation from your guilt and sin--Jesus Christ. [a decision for Christ must be made]

Simply, to receive Christ you need to do four things:

1. ADMIT your spiritual need. “I am a sinner.”

2. REPENT and be willing to turn from your sin.

3. BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross.

4. RECEIVE, through prayer, Jesus Christ into your heart and life.5

You could pray something like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What's beautiful about that simple explanation and action plan is that it is personal, and only requires your honesty with yourself and God.

But Friend, needless to say, after that first repentance, you and I will sin again. The person who I am most familiar with is myself, of course, and I know that I sin every day. So I repent, (verse 3), when I am aware of self-centered thoughts, a critical spirit, words that were not beneficial--maybe they were critical of another, and so many other things... So daily, when I pray, I ask the Lord to forgive me of these things, and yes, I name them--my own way of holding myself accountable, I guess!

Life is a gift, that's for sure. But equally as certain, life is fragile. And another thing - life as a Christian is the greatest adventure of all and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

This song captures my heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84j8NUcpLIw

[a remake of a song I used as a theme for Bible study for two decades]

In Christ alone,

Christine

Luke, #43

1 - Mother Teresa maybe? I can't find where I heard it!

2 - Luke 13.1-5

3 - Luke 12.40

4 - John 14.6

5 - Want a little more explanation on this? Steps to Peace with God from Billy Graham: https://static.billygraham.org/sites/billygraham.org.uk/uploads/pro...