A Lament For The Unrepentant   Series

A Lament for the Unrepentant    

Luke 13:1-9; 31-35

Introduction

Lament is a word that we do not use very often. A lament is a passionate expression of grief, sorrow, mourning. In Scripture there are many examples of lament. Psalm 13:1-2 “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How

long will you hide your face from me?”

Paul David Tripp – “Lamenting is one of the most spiritually mature things you can do. It means you understand the brokenness of the world and are bringing it before the only One who can fix it.”

As Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem, the tone of his message becomes more solemn. He expresses a lament. His mission to save the lost world is met with resistance by so many - yet he longs to save them. Luke begins with three tales to teach us about repentance - and ends with a lament from the Savior. Read Luke 13:1-9

1. Stories of Repentance (Luke 13:1-9)

Luke 13:1-9

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others

living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Each story has something broken / unfortunate / painful. Pilate’s offensive and ungodly actions. The report here is that there were Jewish pilgrims from Galillee who were killed while offering sacrifice at the temple. The blood of holy sacrifices / Galileans ran together as one. A tower tragically fell on some people and killed 18 of them. This story is not as dramatic! A fig tree failed to produce figs for 3 years and was in danger of being cut down.

Jesus confronted an idea in the first two stories: If a bad thing happens to you, you are receiving a punishment for sin. It was easy to speculate that those Gallileans or those crushed by the tower were bad people, got what they deserved. Jesus asked them if they thought this way, and then he brought them the real meaning of his story: Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

What is Repentance? 

Repentance is a turning away and turning toward. Repent: To turn away from sin and to turn toward Christ. "Repentance…involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to

accept the divine forgiveness." (Bruce). Rawn: It is not just about one action or even one habit. It is about your whole self, your whole life. 

Repentance is not just feeling guilty or apologizing. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Worldly sorrow does not move us to make any changes.

Repentance is not just for the big sinners! Jesus dismissed the comparisons and told them ALL to repent! We need to be honest about our own sin, not comparing it to others. We have an unfortunate tendency to believe our sins are easily forgiven, but those of others, well, not so much.

Repentance is more about you than someone else. Instead of asking if someone else sinned badly, we should ask what will we do with our own sin? Twice Jesus shifts attention from others back to YOU.

Repentance has to do with our eternal life. Luke 13:3, 5

Romans 3:10, 23 “There is no one righteous, not even one; … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Repentance has to do with changing our mind and actions. Our actions, awareness, effort, and intentions are all

involved. Not just guilt and remorse. There is a look inside, and then a look to God for help. Be consistent in confession and turning away from sin.