Third Sunday in Lent
Sermon: "... Repentance is a Good Thing ... "
March 7, 2010
Sermon Scripture:Luke 13:1-9 1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 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? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." 6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8 " 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
John heard the call of God while he was in the desert wilderness. John’s life had been one of hardship and rigor, and was being toughened up for his task of preaching to his people. He ate what was available in the wilderness, locusts and wild honey; and he was dressed in the skin of animals. God had been preparing Him for a special mission; John was to prepare the way of the Lord. And how did John do that?
By calling out to his countrymen, “Repent, and believe in God for the forgiveness of your sins.”
He wasn’t preaching to the choir. He wasn’t telling those who came to hear him what they wanted to hear. They wanted to hear of victory over their enemies. They wanted to hear that the one who had been promised to them for so long, was now here; and all of their troubles and cares would be over.
They wanted to hear of peace and prosperity.
And what did they get? “Repent, and believe in God for the forgiveness of your sins.” This was not the message they wanted to hear, because it implied that they had sins, and that they were sinners! Hah. These were the people who had been given God’s Commandments, and they did all that God asked of them. Where does this odd-looking fellow come off, telling us we need forgiveness for our sins?
Jesus was implying the same thing. He was told that some Galileans had been murdered by the Governor Pilate, and that a tower had fallen on 18 people in Siloam. Two catastrophe’s.
The prevailing view of the day was that if something terrible happened to you, it was because you deserved it, on account of being sinful; and, on the other hand, if you were enjoying a peaceful life, it was because God was rewarding you for your exemplary life.
Jesus explains that sin is not a punishment…that it’s not a question of checks and balances, getting a reward for good works, and being punished for bad behavior. God is not Santa Claus who gives you all you ask for IF you’re good, and puts a piece of coal in your stocking if you’ve been bad.
No. Jesus is telling you, you sin, because you are a sinner, and you are in danger of perishing. And by perishing, He means that you will not enter into eternal life with Him, in heaven; but that you will end up in eternal torment and suffering, being shut out of heaven, looking in.
So, He tells you the same word that John, the baptist, told you, “Repent!”
It sounds like a bad thing. But it’s not. It’s a real real good thing.
Imagine yourself standing outside of St. Peter’s gate, and you hear him call out, “Who goes there?” There’s only one answer that will open the door for you, only one answer that will get you inside. If you reply “I’m a sinner,” then the gates will swing open.
It’s like the addicted person who can stand at the meeting, and introduce him/herself, “Hi, I’m Richard, I’m an alcoholic.” It’s not a shameful thing, it’s a door opening the addict up to the others in the group; by admitting that he’s one of them.
Tell St. Peter the truth, “Who am I? I’m Richard Widerholdt, and I am a sinner.” That’s repentance, and it opens the gates of heaven. Jesus says “There’s more joy in heaven over 1 sinner repenting, than over 99 who need to repentance.” The ones who don’t need repentance will perish.
Repentance is a good thing. And it’s something you should be practicing each and every day of your life. Listen to the promise: “If you confess your sins, God is faithful, and just, and will forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.”
Repentance is a good thing, because it makes you receptive to the Good News of forgiveness.
The fig tree didn’t produce. How can a tree produce repentance? You’ve heard of a “weeping willow.” I’m sure in heaven it will be called a “laughing willow”. Just as you, who mourn and lament now, that you are a sinner, will laugh when all your sins will all be taken away for ever.
Tell your friends about sin. Why not? It’s something you’re good at, and have first-hand knowledge of. Tell ‘em how you’re contaminated with it, just like they are, but that you have found a magic potion, and elixier…it’s called repentance.
Scriptures: Mar. 14th: Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Cor. 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
