Responding to God's Loving Care

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026

4:37 am

Good morning! Today I am in Luke 13:1-9. Jesus was told that Pilate had killed some Galileans that were offering sacrifices at the Temple. Jesus asked the people if they thought the people that were killed were worse sinners than the other Galileans, if that was the reason the suffered? Jesus tells them no, and that unless they repent of their sins they would perish too. Jesus asked them the same thing about the 18 people that were killed by the Tower of Siloam when it fell? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? He tells them again no, and unless they repent, they will perish too. Then He tells them a story of a man who planted a fig tree in his garden. Again and again he went to see if there was any fruit, but every time was disappointed because there was none. So he told his gardener to cut it down because it was just taking up space in the garden. But the gardener asked the man to leave it for another year, and in that time he would take careful care of it. And if it still didn't produce fruit they would cut it down.

Jesus pointed out to the people, that because the people he talked about died tragically, it was not God's judgment. Whether a person died tragically or miraculously survives is not a measure of their righteousness. Everyone must die. We will not understand why some live and some die, instead He focused on their need to repent. No matter when it occurs, death is not the end for us. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins, will live with Him for eternity. But those who refuse, will be sent to eternal damnation. But God gives us chances while we are alive to chose Him. Just like the gardener in the story Jesus told, God is caring for us. And while He is caring for us, He is checking to see if we are being fruitful. If we are not being fruitful, He warns us that we will be cut down.

Everything we have is a blessing for God. It is His way of caring for us. We are to use our blessings to build His Kingdom while we are alive. Being fruitful and multiplying the things He has blessed us with, in only the way we can. He will not tolerate our lack of productivity forever, eventually He will cut us down for not being fruitful. If we are not being fruitful for God in this life, we will be hurting the people around us. Leading them astray. God has given us all a chance. He wants you to be part of His Kingdom, and leading others to Him. Being fruitful with the life He has given you. Seek Him and He will show you how.