Lent is filled with texts about repentance and sin and the language can be sharp. This week's lectionary text is no different as we hear about God's judgement and how we must repent or perish. 

Then we hear a parable about a fig tree that hasn't produced fruit and the owner says to cut it down. The supposedly kind gardener steps in and asks to give it another year as long as he can nurture and take care of it. 

But as you'll hear our guest, Lars Olson, teach us, this isn't mercy. It's just prolonging its death. What Lars teaches us this week is that the peace of Christ goes through his death to absorb the sin of the world. 

Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask:

• Do we get punished for sinning? 
• How can we misunderstand this parable?
• What does it mean to die?

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