Ezekiel 33:7-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Should it stay or should it go? This is what I’m often asking myself when it comes to gardening. Now, the whole gardening thing is new to me as I only recently have a yard in which to garden. But already, I have three plants that I stare at and wonder, “Should I dig them up and replace them (because they’re dead) or do I wait to see if they revive over the coming weeks?”

Perhaps, it’s because I just don’t want to spend money right now that I leave them be and give them time. But I also understand, I need not condemn the plant already to being thrown away if it will yet grow back. Indeed, we know this well when it comes to plants, but the same is true for us with God. 

In our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus speaks this parable of a tree that fails to produce fruit. It’s pretty much as good as dead. Thus, the master of the vineyard wants to cut it down and throw it away because it’s good for nothing. However, the vinedresser responds to the master, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down,” Luke 13:8-9. The tree receives mercy from vinedresser who allows it to have more time to produce fruit. However, the fate of the tree is never specified. Will it bear fruit or not?

This is how we know that every day is a gift to us. We are the answer to that question because we’re the tree to which Jesus refers. Are we going to bear fruit or not? We know that to believe in Christ means we will also bear fruit. The fruits of faith naturally flow from our belief in Jesus. God gives us time that our faith may bear fruit as he desires. Yet, we also know that no day is guaranteed. Disasters, tragedies, and other such events are all too common in our world. We never know when one might befall us and our time be cut short.

Jesus was asked about such things also. When disasters befall our world, such as tornadoes, school shootings, wars, and so on, they’re not because those affected deserved such a tragedy. Rather, Jesus tells us, “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,” Luke 13:2-3. Disasters are a sign of our general sinfulness. We all have sinned and fall short of God’s holiness. We all deserve death and condemnation. However, God has forestalled his judgment for our sake. It’s only because of God’s mercy that he doesn’t bring the world to an end already. Rather, God punishes our sins by sending Jesus to the cross. He draws us to repentance, turning us toward himself, that we may avoid perishing eternally. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we’re given the time to come to repentance; and by repentance, to find eternal salvation! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!