This week we continue our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation.
I’ve often found wonderful humor in this familiar phrase: “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans.” I think this is completely true! In our lives, I know we have a tendency to build up our expectations on how things are going to turn out with every circumstance. Even so, I find from time to time that God draws something unexpected—and sometimes incredible—out of whatever meager imaginings I may have had. In moments of tragedy and grief, I have seen God show profound comfort. In moments of anger and frustration, I have seen God express remarkable grace. In these experiences, I have grown to believe in a God that is continually unexpected.
Luke 13:1-9 (CEB)
1 Some who were present on that occasion told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices. 2 He replied, “Do you think the suffering of these Galileans proves that they were more sinful than all the other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did. 4 What about those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more guilty of wrongdoing than everyone else who lives in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did.”
6 Jesus told this parable: “A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 He said to his gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ 8 The gardener responded, ‘Lord, give it one more year, and I will dig around it and give it fertilizer. 9 Maybe it will produce fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’”
Consider these questions:
- At least part of what’s going on in the question of verse 2 is an age-old question “Did they die because of their own fault?” It might be a question we too have contemplated. It would certainly make life simpler if we could clearly know the cause of every effect. What tragedy or difficult circumstances have you struggled to comprehend?
- Why do you think Jesus repeats verse 3 in verse 5? How might repentance lead to a life of abundance?
- Read Isaiah 5:1-7. There are numerous times in the Old Testament, as in this Isaiah passage, where the people of Israel are compared to a vineyard. How is there both a threat and a promise in this parable (v6-9)?
- How does the parable relate to the previous story (v1-5)?
- What does it look like to be a “fruitful” Christian in your community?