When Bad Things Happen, or Don’t (Luke 13:1-9)

James Jacques Joseph Tissot "The Barren Fig Tree"

The people listening to Jesus talk about the Kingdom raise an interesting question. More so because it reveals their mindset than anything else. Apparently, some Galileans were killed by Pilot as they were preparing to offer sacrifices. This was likely a huge political issue for the day, and people were hoping the Messiah was coming to set things right.

Jesus takes their question and completely ignores the political implications. Instead, He raises an even thornier issue: theodicy. Why do bad things happen? Do we deserve the tragedies in our lives? Jesus asks, “Do you think these… were worse sinners?” Did those people die because of their guilt. He raises another recent incident involving a shocking disaster. Some people had died in a tower’s collapse. Were they more deserving of death than others?

Jesus counters that these deaths had little to do with guilt. Life is incredibly fragile, and everyone will die, regardless of whether they trigger their demise or not. Guilt, like death, is universal too. We need to recognize our guilt and repent!

He tells a brief parable about a fig tree. This is an image Jesus and scripture often use to picture Israel. This fig tree produces no fruit. So, the owner orders it to be tended to and helped to see if it will produce fruit in the next season. If not, it will be chopped down! Even God’s people needed to be reminded that we all are guilty of sin. We need to repent, return to God, and allow Him to produce good fruit in our lives!