When Towers Fall - Luke 13:1-5
Pastor Dennis Bone
9/11/11
WHEN TOWERS FALL 9-11-11
We all remember the imagery of the twin towers on fire and the pictures of the planes hitting them, and these huge buildings falling to the ground. We all have different memories of where we were and our reactions to that day and the days to follow. I’m sure you have seen and read all kinds of things recounting how people felt and acted at the time; and how they now – 10 years later – remember that day. Today will bring forth many more events and ceremonies of remembrance – both religious and civil – all around our country as people still look for ways to express themselves about an unforgettable event.
When towers fall and people die in tragic events what should we say as Christians? Since today we are all thinking about the tragic event of 9-11, and how it has impacted us and our country, I thought it would be appropriate for us to look at how Jesus addressed a couple of tragic events in His day. Although some tragic events are more personal than others, or more national, such events are not new to mankind, and it’s especially important for us as Christians to know how to respond in ways the bring truth as well as comfort.
The words of Jesus in Luke 13 are by no means an exhaustive response, or the only thing we should say when tragedy strikes, but the way Jesus deals with two very tragic events in His lifetime teaches us some important principles about what we should believe and how we should respond to such events as well. So please turn with me to Luke 13 – verses 1 – 5:
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 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? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
I remember the days and months immediately following 9-11 being asked about why God would allow such a thing to happen. Many people were turning to pastors or religious leaders for answers, or going back to church, in order to find solace and comfort and peace in a time of fear and uncertainty.
When tragic events occur, most people want to know why. We are looking for some answers or clarity; often we are looking for someone to blame; and we are always looking for some explanation to what cannot be fully explained to our satisfaction, in order to at least make us feel better about something terrible. Do you think Jesus’ answer in this passage helped the people understand why these tragic events happened? Do you think His answer made them feel better? Why did Jesus say this; and does it have any application for us as Christians when it comes to our understanding of tragic events? Is Jesus being cavalier about tragedy, or is He teaching us about what is most important to know and do in light of tragedies? I’m going to choose the latter; and in this sermon I hope to tell you why.
If you look at your outline you will see that I want to talk about the reality of tragic events; the reason for tragic events; and then the response to tragic events. If you look at the passage you will first notice that the people who come to Jesus raise one tragic event; and then Jesus raises another. Wasn’t one good enough? Why does Jesus do this? He wants them to know that He is not unaware of what’s going on in the culture of His day, but even greater is the point that His answer to one tragic event is the same for two; and it’s really the same for all such tragic events. The principle we learn from this is that human history has left a trail of disastrous and catastrophic events. You can read secular history or biblical history and there is no shortage of tragic events. We all know that, but the way Jesus deals with these two tells us a lot about how He viewed such events.
First we see that Jesus acknowledges such events but didn’t explain them. The people were not just informing Jesus about what happened, they were looking for an explanation from Him. Isn’t that what we want when we see or experience a tragic event? We want an explanation. Why did this happen and is there someone we can blame? We know from other passages, and from first century rabbinic culture, that it was common to blame the victims for bad things happening; and Jesus counters this approach right away. He says, “Were these victims greater sinners or more guilty than others?”
Even people today often make this connection as a way to try to explain what they can’t understand. We feel better when think we can find a “cause and effect” even if it may not be right. Was 9-11 a judgment upon America? Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” – when they encountered the blind man. Of course sin and judgment is often related to suffering and tragic events, but it’s unwise to make a one to one connection, just look at Job as well as Jesus Himself.
We see a second point: Jesus experienced such events and didn’t stop them. The implicit question in the minds of these people coming to Jesus is, “If you’re the Messiah couldn’t you have done something about this?” Isn’t that what Mary said to Jesus? “If you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” “Why did God allow those planes to hit the twin towers?” Couldn’t God have prevented that storm from killing thousands of people, or letting my child die? Jesus experienced the most tragic event of all; and it wasn’t because of His sin; and it wasn’t because God couldn’t have prevented it, but it was for the sake of God’s kingdom; and the opportunity for people to enter into this kingdom.
This is the third point to see: Jesus used such tragic events to illustrate biblical truth. Jesus says in response to both these events, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Did Jesus not care about those slaughtered Galileans or those dead workers at Siloam? Of course He did, but the most compassionate thing He could have said to those who are left behind is to repent. Is this the only thing we should say in response to tragic events? No, of course not, but Jesus’ point is that this is the most important thing. The gospel tells us that all will perish apart from repentance and faith in Christ, thus shouldn’t the reality of unexpected tragedies and sudden death cause the living to evaluate their relationship with God? This is exactly what Jesus is saying, and said numerous times throughout the gospels, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Jesus taught us, and the Scriptures teach us, that tragic events which occur in the world around us – like 9-11 – and tragic events that occur closer to home like sickness, disease or accidents; should lead us to God; and cause us to find our comfort and our hope in Him because of His Son Jesus Christ. As Christians I trust that we all believe this, but do we also believe that in light of such tragic events that we should be telling people to repent?
I realize that the imagery of the street preacher yelling to people as they walk by to repent may come to mind; or the fear that telling someone they should repent in times of tragedy might seem offensive or inappropriate. We need to understand that the message of repentance is not the problem, but its how we present it to people in need. The reason that we need to talk to people about repentance is the same reason for tragic events – it’s the reality of sin in this world. We can see the three main reasons that tragic events occur alluded to in our passage from Luke 13. But Jesus is not so much concerned with the reasons as He is with the response, but the connection with repentance is very important for us to see.
Human behavior leads to intentional and unintentional tragic events. The first event that is brought to Jesus attention points out the problem of human evil. Pilate was absolutely evil in putting to death the Galileans who were on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. They became sacrifices by an intentional act of evil, in much the same way 9-11 was an intentional act of evil carried out by terrorists. What should our response to evil be? It should remind us of sin – not first of all other people’s sin – but our sin and our relationship with God. Many people called 9-11 a “wake up call” for our nation regarding the danger of evil and the need to make changes to protect ourselves as a nation. Jesus tells us that these kind of tragic events are also a spiritual wake up call and warns against the danger of perishing apart from spiritual change.
The second event that Jesus brings to the people’s attention points out the problem of human error. The tower in our passage didn’t fall down because a plane hit it, but because it was an accident. Jesus’ point is that accidents happen; people make mistakes – it could be a builder, a doctor, a driver; a power outage, or any number of things – yet the results could also be tragic. But whether it’s evil or error, it all goes back to sin. And the real issue is not whose sin it is or who is more guilty, but the fact that all of us are guilty and fall short of God’s standards. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “There is not a righteous man on the earth who does what is right and never sins.” Thus Jesus’ call to repentance. This then is the third reason for tragic events, which Solomon just pointed out and Paul points out in Romans 3; and that Jesus is specifically addressing in this passage: the problem of human nature. The entrance of sin into the world has affected everyone and everything, even the creation.
Jesus is calling people to repentance because of sin – personal and individual sin that we all have; and that should become more evident in light of the tragic events that occur as we live in a sinful world. We are not to be blind or naïve to their reality or the reasons, but Jesus main point to us is that we should not be speculating about the “Whys” but we should respond by action. And so we see a third major point: the response to tragic events.
I have been speaking of this all along, because it’s the main point of the passage, but now we come to a more specific application of Jesus’ teaching. Human tragedy is a reminder of our divine need. We need to turn away from ourselves and turn to God – this is repentance – for it’s only the one true God, as revealed in the Scriptures and through His Son, who can bring us true hope and lasting comfort and peace.
Jesus reminds us in our passage that the right question is not philosophical, or “Why did this happen?” but practical, “What am I going to do?” The Psalmist says, “Be still and know that I am God.” He says this right after he declares these familiar words of comfort and hope: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, through its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” In view of such events – tragic and troubling events that happen in the world in which we live – the Psalmist concludes: “Be still and know that I am God.”
Jesus says, “Repent” so that you not only believe this in your head but you know it in your heart. In order to know God is in control, you need to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I’m sure we all remember the days following 9-11 was a time when a majority of Americans sought God in one way or another. Some people were angry and asked, “Why?” while others looked for comfort and answers from their religion of choice. For most people, especially Americans, God plays some kind of role in tragedies whether they know Him or not. People seek to deal with and cope with tragic events in many different ways, but is there really any true comfort and lasting hope apart from Jesus Christ? We can speculate and debate forever over the “problem of evil” but the only person who actually solves the problem of evil is Jesus Christ. He doesn’t fully explain it, not does God give us all the answers to “Why?” but He does provide the only solution in His Son.
Jesus also reminds us in this passage that our lives are temporary and uncertain. No one wakes up thinking they are going to be a victim of a tragic event, but unexpected and even at times unexplained tragedy reminds us that we will all met God one day; we will all stand before Him and be accountable for our actions, not the actions of others. Isn’t this Jesus’ point? It’s not the sin of the Galileans or the guilt of those who died when the tower fell that you should be most concerned about; but it’s your own sin. It’s not Pilate or Al Qaida that is your biggest fear or concern, but God and your relationship with Him. The fact that they died suddenly and unexpected should cause you to repent, and to evaluate your relationship with God.
Jesus reminds us in this passage that repentance is necessary for forgiveness and eternal life. Twice He says, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Jesus is not warning His hearers that they are in immediate danger of Pilate’s sword or a falling tower, but they were however in immediate danger of God’s judgment. He is talking about the urgency of the kingdom and the timeliness of repentance. There is no time to wait because this is the most important action one can take, and must take in order to find true hope in this life and in the life to come. Paul urges us to not miss out on the grace of salvation when he says, “Now is the day of God’s favor; now is the day of God’s salvation.”
We don’t know all of the specific things that God is doing through and in the midst of tragic events, whether it be 9-11 or one of many tragic event we may see or experience in our lives. But we do know that such events point people to their need for repentance. As Christians we will have many opportunities to share the gospel during such times; and to tell sinners like us of the great salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Like many did on 9-11, we will be asked about these tragic events because people want explanations and many are looking for hope. As Christians we must tell the truth in times of terror and in times of tragedy because people’s lives depend upon it.
There is a lot that will be said today about 9-11, but the most important thing for us to talk about as Christians is the gospel of Jesus Christ. May God give us the grace and wisdom to speak gracious and boldly about the urgent need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; and may we not be silent.
©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC.
Pastor Dennis Bone
9/11/11
WHEN TOWERS FALL 9-11-11
We all remember the imagery of the twin towers on fire and the pictures of the planes hitting them, and these huge buildings falling to the ground. We all have different memories of where we were and our reactions to that day and the days to follow. I’m sure you have seen and read all kinds of things recounting how people felt and acted at the time; and how they now – 10 years later – remember that day. Today will bring forth many more events and ceremonies of remembrance – both religious and civil – all around our country as people still look for ways to express themselves about an unforgettable event.
When towers fall and people die in tragic events what should we say as Christians? Since today we are all thinking about the tragic event of 9-11, and how it has impacted us and our country, I thought it would be appropriate for us to look at how Jesus addressed a couple of tragic events in His day. Although some tragic events are more personal than others, or more national, such events are not new to mankind, and it’s especially important for us as Christians to know how to respond in ways the bring truth as well as comfort.
The words of Jesus in Luke 13 are by no means an exhaustive response, or the only thing we should say when tragedy strikes, but the way Jesus deals with two very tragic events in His lifetime teaches us some important principles about what we should believe and how we should respond to such events as well. So please turn with me to Luke 13 – verses 1 – 5:
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 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? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
I remember the days and months immediately following 9-11 being asked about why God would allow such a thing to happen. Many people were turning to pastors or religious leaders for answers, or going back to church, in order to find solace and comfort and peace in a time of fear and uncertainty.
When tragic events occur, most people want to know why. We are looking for some answers or clarity; often we are looking for someone to blame; and we are always looking for some explanation to what cannot be fully explained to our satisfaction, in order to at least make us feel better about something terrible. Do you think Jesus’ answer in this passage helped the people understand why these tragic events happened? Do you think His answer made them feel better? Why did Jesus say this; and does it have any application for us as Christians when it comes to our understanding of tragic events? Is Jesus being cavalier about tragedy, or is He teaching us about what is most important to know and do in light of tragedies? I’m going to choose the latter; and in this sermon I hope to tell you why.
If you look at your outline you will see that I want to talk about the reality of tragic events; the reason for tragic events; and then the response to tragic events. If you look at the passage you will first notice that the people who come to Jesus raise one tragic event; and then Jesus raises another. Wasn’t one good enough? Why does Jesus do this? He wants them to know that He is not unaware of what’s going on in the culture of His day, but even greater is the point that His answer to one tragic event is the same for two; and it’s really the same for all such tragic events. The principle we learn from this is that human history has left a trail of disastrous and catastrophic events. You can read secular history or biblical history and there is no shortage of tragic events. We all know that, but the way Jesus deals with these two tells us a lot about how He viewed such events.
First we see that Jesus acknowledges such events but didn’t explain them. The people were not just informing Jesus about what happened, they were looking for an explanation from Him. Isn’t that what we want when we see or experience a tragic event? We want an explanation. Why did this happen and is there someone we can blame? We know from other passages, and from first century rabbinic culture, that it was common to blame the victims for bad things happening; and Jesus counters this approach right away. He says, “Were these victims greater sinners or more guilty than others?”
Even people today often make this connection as a way to try to explain what they can’t understand. We feel better when think we can find a “cause and effect” even if it may not be right. Was 9-11 a judgment upon America? Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” – when they encountered the blind man. Of course sin and judgment is often related to suffering and tragic events, but it’s unwise to make a one to one connection, just look at Job as well as Jesus Himself.
We see a second point: Jesus experienced such events and didn’t stop them. The implicit question in the minds of these people coming to Jesus is, “If you’re the Messiah couldn’t you have done something about this?” Isn’t that what Mary said to Jesus? “If you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” “Why did God allow those planes to hit the twin towers?” Couldn’t God have prevented that storm from killing thousands of people, or letting my child die? Jesus experienced the most tragic event of all; and it wasn’t because of His sin; and it wasn’t because God couldn’t have prevented it, but it was for the sake of God’s kingdom; and the opportunity for people to enter into this kingdom.
This is the third point to see: Jesus used such tragic events to illustrate biblical truth. Jesus says in response to both these events, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Did Jesus not care about those slaughtered Galileans or those dead workers at Siloam? Of course He did, but the most compassionate thing He could have said to those who are left behind is to repent. Is this the only thing we should say in response to tragic events? No, of course not, but Jesus’ point is that this is the most important thing. The gospel tells us that all will perish apart from repentance and faith in Christ, thus shouldn’t the reality of unexpected tragedies and sudden death cause the living to evaluate their relationship with God? This is exactly what Jesus is saying, and said numerous times throughout the gospels, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Jesus taught us, and the Scriptures teach us, that tragic events which occur in the world around us – like 9-11 – and tragic events that occur closer to home like sickness, disease or accidents; should lead us to God; and cause us to find our comfort and our hope in Him because of His Son Jesus Christ. As Christians I trust that we all believe this, but do we also believe that in light of such tragic events that we should be telling people to repent?
I realize that the imagery of the street preacher yelling to people as they walk by to repent may come to mind; or the fear that telling someone they should repent in times of tragedy might seem offensive or inappropriate. We need to understand that the message of repentance is not the problem, but its how we present it to people in need. The reason that we need to talk to people about repentance is the same reason for tragic events – it’s the reality of sin in this world. We can see the three main reasons that tragic events occur alluded to in our passage from Luke 13. But Jesus is not so much concerned with the reasons as He is with the response, but the connection with repentance is very important for us to see.
Human behavior leads to intentional and unintentional tragic events. The first event that is brought to Jesus attention points out the problem of human evil. Pilate was absolutely evil in putting to death the Galileans who were on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. They became sacrifices by an intentional act of evil, in much the same way 9-11 was an intentional act of evil carried out by terrorists. What should our response to evil be? It should remind us of sin – not first of all other people’s sin – but our sin and our relationship with God. Many people called 9-11 a “wake up call” for our nation regarding the danger of evil and the need to make changes to protect ourselves as a nation. Jesus tells us that these kind of tragic events are also a spiritual wake up call and warns against the danger of perishing apart from spiritual change.
The second event that Jesus brings to the people’s attention points out the problem of human error. The tower in our passage didn’t fall down because a plane hit it, but because it was an accident. Jesus’ point is that accidents happen; people make mistakes – it could be a builder, a doctor, a driver; a power outage, or any number of things – yet the results could also be tragic. But whether it’s evil or error, it all goes back to sin. And the real issue is not whose sin it is or who is more guilty, but the fact that all of us are guilty and fall short of God’s standards. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “There is not a righteous man on the earth who does what is right and never sins.” Thus Jesus’ call to repentance. This then is the third reason for tragic events, which Solomon just pointed out and Paul points out in Romans 3; and that Jesus is specifically addressing in this passage: the problem of human nature. The entrance of sin into the world has affected everyone and everything, even the creation.
Jesus is calling people to repentance because of sin – personal and individual sin that we all have; and that should become more evident in light of the tragic events that occur as we live in a sinful world. We are not to be blind or naïve to their reality or the reasons, but Jesus main point to us is that we should not be speculating about the “Whys” but we should respond by action. And so we see a third major point: the response to tragic events.
I have been speaking of this all along, because it’s the main point of the passage, but now we come to a more specific application of Jesus’ teaching. Human tragedy is a reminder of our divine need. We need to turn away from ourselves and turn to God – this is repentance – for it’s only the one true God, as revealed in the Scriptures and through His Son, who can bring us true hope and lasting comfort and peace.
Jesus reminds us in our passage that the right question is not philosophical, or “Why did this happen?” but practical, “What am I going to do?” The Psalmist says, “Be still and know that I am God.” He says this right after he declares these familiar words of comfort and hope: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, through its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” In view of such events – tragic and troubling events that happen in the world in which we live – the Psalmist concludes: “Be still and know that I am God.”
Jesus says, “Repent” so that you not only believe this in your head but you know it in your heart. In order to know God is in control, you need to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I’m sure we all remember the days following 9-11 was a time when a majority of Americans sought God in one way or another. Some people were angry and asked, “Why?” while others looked for comfort and answers from their religion of choice. For most people, especially Americans, God plays some kind of role in tragedies whether they know Him or not. People seek to deal with and cope with tragic events in many different ways, but is there really any true comfort and lasting hope apart from Jesus Christ? We can speculate and debate forever over the “problem of evil” but the only person who actually solves the problem of evil is Jesus Christ. He doesn’t fully explain it, not does God give us all the answers to “Why?” but He does provide the only solution in His Son.
Jesus also reminds us in this passage that our lives are temporary and uncertain. No one wakes up thinking they are going to be a victim of a tragic event, but unexpected and even at times unexplained tragedy reminds us that we will all met God one day; we will all stand before Him and be accountable for our actions, not the actions of others. Isn’t this Jesus’ point? It’s not the sin of the Galileans or the guilt of those who died when the tower fell that you should be most concerned about; but it’s your own sin. It’s not Pilate or Al Qaida that is your biggest fear or concern, but God and your relationship with Him. The fact that they died suddenly and unexpected should cause you to repent, and to evaluate your relationship with God.
Jesus reminds us in this passage that repentance is necessary for forgiveness and eternal life. Twice He says, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Jesus is not warning His hearers that they are in immediate danger of Pilate’s sword or a falling tower, but they were however in immediate danger of God’s judgment. He is talking about the urgency of the kingdom and the timeliness of repentance. There is no time to wait because this is the most important action one can take, and must take in order to find true hope in this life and in the life to come. Paul urges us to not miss out on the grace of salvation when he says, “Now is the day of God’s favor; now is the day of God’s salvation.”
We don’t know all of the specific things that God is doing through and in the midst of tragic events, whether it be 9-11 or one of many tragic event we may see or experience in our lives. But we do know that such events point people to their need for repentance. As Christians we will have many opportunities to share the gospel during such times; and to tell sinners like us of the great salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Like many did on 9-11, we will be asked about these tragic events because people want explanations and many are looking for hope. As Christians we must tell the truth in times of terror and in times of tragedy because people’s lives depend upon it.
There is a lot that will be said today about 9-11, but the most important thing for us to talk about as Christians is the gospel of Jesus Christ. May God give us the grace and wisdom to speak gracious and boldly about the urgent need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; and may we not be silent.
©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC.
