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.
Repentance is not an eternal offer, there is a time limit. The owner of the vineyard wanted to cut down the unproductive fig tree. Manager appealed for another year. This offers up hope - the possibility of change. Be proactive in demonstrating repentance by our actions
Repentance is something we should encourage in one another. Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” Not by pointing fingers, but by joining with others in their struggle and encouraging them along the way.
Repentance is available now. It is significant that the parable is open-ended. What happens to the tree - spared or cut down? We do not know but we can answer as far as our own lives are concerned. There is a second chance and there is a final chance. “You cannot repent too soon, because you do not know how soon it may be too late.” - Thomas Fuller.
2. The Lament of Jesus (Luke 13:34-35)
Luke 13:34-35
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
What a visual, a hen protecting her chicks.
Psalm 17:8 “...hide me in the shadow of your wings”
Psalm 57:1 “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge…”
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem!” Note the irony! Jerusalem is the Holy City—the City of David —the prototype for the City of God. Jerusalem is the site of temple worship and the object of Jewish pilgrimage. Nevertheless they kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to her!
Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem is instructive. It teaches us…
-God’s love is undiminished.
-God’s help is available.
-God gives us freedom to choose between good and evil, and with the freedom comes accountability.
2 Peter 3:9-10 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
Conclusion
The Lament of Jesus tells us of the broken heart of Jesus. As we confront our own sin, are we willing to receive shelter under the wings of the Almighty? Repentance is a universal command. All must turn from a life of sin to a life of righteousness if they wish to be saved.
Acts 3:19-20 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-- even Jesus.”
When we hear the lament of Jesus, we feel, with Godly sorrow, a desire to come back to God.
Repentance, then, is not something we do once, or only when we’ve blown it.
Repentance is the Christian lifestyle - always keeping in mind the redeeming love of Christ and the open door of the Gospel.
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Discussion Questions
1. In verses 1-5, Jesus responds to people discussing tragic events. What point is He making about suffering and sin?
2. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes that “unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3, 5)?
3. What does true repentance look like in our daily lives? How do you describe repentance? What are some actions of repentance?
4. The gardener asks for more time to care for the tree. What does this reveal about God’s patience? How does this parable warn us about delaying repentance?
5. Jesus expresses deep sorrow for Jerusalem. What does His desire to “gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks” (v. 34) reveal about His heart for His people?
6. Why did the people of Jerusalem reject Jesus, and how do people today still reject Him?
7. Jesus ends with a future hope: “You will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” What does this say about His second coming?
8. What are some ways people today reject Jesus, even within the church?
9. Jesus shows deep sorrow for those who reject Him. How can we reflect His compassion in reaching out to others?
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Resources
Bartlett, David L. & Barbara Brown Taylor, Ed. Feasting on the Word, Year C Volume 2.
Bruce, F. F. The Acts of the Apostles, London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.
Donovan, Richard Niell. https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary-old/luke-1331-35/
Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke - NICNT Commentary.
Keith Thomas' study at http://groupbiblestudy.com/bible-studies/book-of-luke-2/
Rawn, Gregory.
https://spiritandtruthpublishing.com/blog/a-change-of-mind-luke-13
Study Guide posted by Bible Church of Cabot, AR
http://cabotbible.com/PDFs/LukePDFs/Luke13.01TheHeartOfRepentance.pdf
Next Sunday: Luke 15 - Lost & Found
Resources
The Gospel of Luke - NICNT Commentary - Joel B. Green
Feasting on the Word, Year C Volume 2 - David L. Bartlett & Barbara Brown Taylor, Ed.
Lectionary Lab Commentary Year C - John Fairless and Delmer Chilton
Swindoll’s New Testament Insights; Insights on Luke, Charles R. Swindoll.
Keith Thomas' study at http://groupbiblestudy.com/bible-studies/book-of-luke-2/
Study Guide posted by Bible Church of Cabot, AR
http://cabotbible.com/PDFs/LukePDFs/Luke13.01TheHeartOfRepentance.pdf
Gregory Rawn
https://spiritandtruthpublishing.com/blog/a-change-of-mind-luke-13
https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary-old/luke-1331-35/
Richard Niell Donovan
Curry, Michael R. Feasting on the Word
F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)
