Luke 13. And Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you: but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (13:2-3, repeated in 4-5) I didn’t get past the opening of this chapter before I had to stop and think. This seems like an obscure reference to some drama we don’t have the full details on (and it is), but the theology is important.

Here is the bad theology revealed by the question – these people suffered greatly because they were worse sinners than other people. Twice Jesus says an emphatic, “No.” It is important that we have a good theology of suffering. Your suffering (or anyone’s suffering) is not necessarily because you have “sinned more” than someone who seems to be living an easy life. God is not waiting to throw lightning bolts of suffering at people who are “the worst sinners” and send sunshine and flowers to people who only have “small sins”. We need to correct this bad theology.

Suffering comes into our lives for many different reasons: The world is broken, and bad things happen. (Hurricanes and wildfires touch us all; the rain falls on the just and the unjust.) Other people are broken, and they cause bad things to happen. We make mistakes and bad choices (then suffering can be our fault, we reap what we sow!). Sometimes God allows suffering to train us, or to demonstrate His goodness later, or a whole host of other reasons. Sometimes we never understand suffering, we just endure it and draw closer to God who sustains us through it all.   

In the end, all of us will die a physical death. Jesus uses this conversation to call people to repentance. “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3,5) “I have come… to call sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Repenting means changing your way of thinking, turning away from sin and self-seeking behavior, acknowledging God as Lord, and seeking God and His righteousness. Those who repent and develop this relationship with Jesus, “do not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The parable of the barren fig tree that follows (13:6-9) reminds us that God is patient with us all. He gives the fig tree time and opportunity and extra nurturing so it might bear fruit. Yet, there does come a moment when all the patience and time and opportunities have been used up. We ought not be slow about repenting and leaning in to developing a relationship with Lord Jesus. The master will return one day, we are to be ready for Him and to be busy doing what He asked us to do in His absence (Luke 12:40-43).

As we progress through Luke, the conflict between Jesus and certain groups grows. In responding to them, Jesus sounds harsh sometimes and the parables become quite pointed in meaning. Say it louder for the people who are not listening – You must repent, the patience of God does not endure forever.

Have you considered your own theology of suffering? Are you comforted or challenged by these truths? How would you explain repentance? Does repentance feel urgent to you? What stood out to you from Luke 13?