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 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.”

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5

When my daughter was five, she asked, “Daddy, why do you watch the news? It’s always so sad.” I don’t even remember what tragedy was on the TV that night, but her observation rings true more often than we would like.

It seems that every time you tune in to find out what is happening in the world all you hear about are fires, floods, accidents, death, etc. Senseless tragedies.

This is not new. One day some people brought a recent tragedy to Jesus’ attention. A multitude of people had been killed during a church service. This was in addition to a construction accident that had taken the lives of eighteen in the neighboring town. Those left behind in this wake of destruction were struggling with the chill of death’s touch.

Why? Haven’t you ever found yourself asking that question? I’m sure you have. Honestly, we can’t always answer that question. But if you ever find yourself reeling from a tragedy, look to the cross of Jesus. On the surface, it doesn’t make sense. You see a thirty-three-year-old man spiked to two pieces of timber. You see the death of an innocent person. You see a tragedy.

But remember why Jesus went to that cross and allowed himself to die. It was so that he could deliver a cure for this world that has been so sickened by sin. It was so that he could take the punishment that rightly should have been executed upon us because of our guilt. It was so that one day, he could take us away from this world of death and violence to a paradise of peace.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.