“Worry About YOU”
Jamaal Williams
1 At that time, some people came and reported to him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And he responded to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well. 4 Or those eighteen that the tower in Siloam fell on and killed—do you think they were more sinful than all the other people who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well.”
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?’
8 “But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Luke 13:1-9
"God's patience is mercy, not permission-repent today."
- The Call to Repentance (Luke 13:1-5)
- People ask Jesus about a massacre, assuming victims were worse sinners.
- Jesus corrects them: “Unless you repent, you will perish too.”
- Another tragedy (tower collapse) reinforces the point—death is unpredictable.
- The real question: Am I right with God?
- The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
- A fruitless tree symbolizes unrepentant people—deserving judgment.
- The vineyard worker (Jesus) intercedes: “Give it one more year.”
- Mercy often comes through disturbance—God digging around our hearts.
- Questions to ask ourselves
- Am I bearing fruit? Is my life showing signs of true repentance? (Luke 13:6-9; Gal. 5:22-23)
- Has God been digging around my heart? Have I ignored His warnings or delayed obedience?
- Have I mistaken mercy for permission? Am I assuming I have more time to turn back to God? (Luke 13:8-9)
- Is my life pointing others to Jesus? Do my words and actions lead people toward Christ or away from Him?
- Am I trusting in Christ alone? Am I coming to the table in repentance and faith, resting in His righteousness? (2 Cor. 5:21)