Monday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 13:1-5
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.”
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.”
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
13:1–5 The incidents concerning Pilate killing the Galileans and the fall of the tower in Siloam are not recorded elsewhere in Scripture. whose blood Pilate had mingled. Nothing more is known about this incident, but Pilate had apparently put people to death when they were trying to offer sacrifices. Do you think … worse sinners …?? Jesus’ rhetorical question reflects a popular view that tragedies and physical ailments were due to personal sin, but his answer (No) denies any such connection in this case. unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Though Jesus regularly has compassion on those who suffer, here he draws a broader lesson: this tragic event is a warning that final judgment is coming to the entire world. The tower in Siloam was probably part of the wall of Jerusalem near the pool of Siloam.
Study Questions:
- I would imagine that many people would've expected Jesus to handle that question a little differently. Maybe you would've thought he'd give some answers to this tragedy. Now, imagine you were one of his disciples. Maybe you would have been embarrassed by his answer and offered an apology or given some excuses for him. What he said is a little shocking to us, and it would've been to his audience that day. People have often misunderstood and misjudged Jesus, and it still happens today. What are some ways you think our culture, and even Christians, have developed incorrect assumptions about Jesus?
- The first thing Jesus points to in his answer is that God is MERCIFUL. Because of sin in our lives, however, we are all destined for an eternal death. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Every human walks into this world under a sentence of death. Every human has violated God and his holiness. The very fact that we are allowed to live from moment to moment is because of his grace. Talk about how it feels to realize that you weren't just saved to make your life a little better, but you were literally saved from an eternal death. What heart response and posture should this invoke in us?
Pray:
- That we would live with the Gospel in mind.
- That you would seek to know the REAL Jesus.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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