Message: Turn and Bear Fruit / Luke 13:1-9

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” 

Some people believe that human suffering is a direct consequence of sin. They say that unexpected disasters happen because people have done wrong. In some religious traditions, this view extends even to the idea that suffering in this life comes from mistakes made in past lives. This way of thinking often leads to blaming the victims of hardship. It assumes that those who suffer somehow deserve it. 

As Jesus made his way toward Jerusalem, some told him about a brutal event where Pilate had killed some Galileans. In those days, Palestine was divided into a few regions, and each area had its ruler appointed by the Roman Emperor. Galilee, where Jesus was born and began his ministry, was under the rule of Herod Antipas. On the other hand, Judea was governed by Pontius Pilate. Unfortunately, these rulers were known not for their justice or kindness, but for their cruelty.

Meanwhile, the Galileans were known for resisting the Roman Empire. They lived on the northern border of Israel and often rose against the harsh political and economic oppression they faced. What is striking in today’s passage is that the Galileans had been under Herod’s rule, yet they were killed by Pilate. To make it even worse, Pilate mixed their blood with their sacrifices, desecrating the religious rituals and sending a strong message to anyone who might resist Roman rule. It was a brutal and senseless act of violence. 

Throughout history, we have seen such incomprehensible violence and suffering. In particular, The 20th century is often called the "century of violence" or "century of genocide" because there were more wars and mass killings than ever before: The Nazi regime murdered six million Jews in concentration camps. The Fascist government in Italy invaded Ethiopia and used chemical weapons to kill around 300,000 people. The Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia caused the deaths of nearly two million people in their quest to build a so-called communist utopia.

In the face of such overwhelming tragedies, some people are quick to say that these events were a form of divine judgment on the victims. Some religious leaders in Jesus' time made similar arguments. But Jesus never blamed the victims. He rejected the idea that their suffering was a sign of God’s punishment. Instead, he pointed out that we need to look inward and repent. He said, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.”

The people suffering today, like those in Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion, are not worse sinners than others. Refugees fleeing war, violence, and oppression are not more wicked or foolish than we are. When we try to make simplistic explanations for such suffering, when we blame the victims or ignore the real causes, we fail to understand Jesus' message. 

Jesus gave another example to make his point clearer. He spoke of the collapse of the Tower of Siloam in Jerusalem, which killed eighteen people. Unlike some who blamed the victims, Jesus did not say it was because of their wrongdoings. The tower collapsed because of the failure of those who built it. In a corrupt society, safety is often ignored to maximize profit. People use low-quality materials and take shortcuts to save money, ignoring proper procedures. Eventually, this leads to disaster.

Today’s message is clear: unless we repent, unless we change the way we live, such disasters will continue. According to Jesus, repentance is not just about saying sorry to God. It is about changing how we act, how we treat others, and how we live out our purpose in the world. In the Bible, sin is often described as "missing the mark" or "losing one's way," and repentance means "turning back to God."

Ancient cultures believed that everything had a purpose. For instance, a fig tree exists to bear fruit. The fruit feeds people, animals, and insects, and its seeds help new fig trees grow. But what happens when a fig tree does not bear fruit? It is a waste of space and resources. In Palestine, where fertile ground was scarce, a fig tree that did not bear fruit would eventually be cut down.

Likewise, we have a purpose. The Bible teaches that we are created to care for God’s creation with love. For this reason, Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbours. Sin is when we fail to live up to this purpose. 

John the Baptist also emphasized the importance of repentance in Luke 3, saying, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. [...] Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

So, how do we bear fruit as Christians? According to John, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." The fruit is simple: kindness, generosity, and sharing with those in need. True success is not about how much we own. It is about how well we care for others with love.

What brings joy to parents with their children? Is it when one child becomes wealthy by taking from the others? Or is it when they see all their children helping one another, supporting each other through tough times? God’s joy comes not from our wealth or status, but from our love and generosity. When we share what we have with others, we reflect God’s glory.

Psychologically, neuroscience shows that acts of kindness lead to true happiness. The pleasure we get from entertainment, luxury, or drugs is short-lived. Over time, we need stronger and stronger stimuli to feel the same, which can lead to addiction. In contrast, acts of kindness activate different areas of the brain, stimulating empathy and promoting long-term happiness.

On a social level, helping others benefits not only the individual but the entire community. One example is Denmark, which has been ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. Meik Wiking, in his book The Art of Danish Living, published in 2024, explains that volunteering plays a key role in the country's happiness. He writes, “Around 40 per cent of Danes are involved in volunteering or charity work. [...] People who are involved in volunteer work report higher levels of happiness than the rest of the population. This may be due to their heightened sense of purpose, the friendships they build, or the gratitude they feel when they see how less fortunate people live. It may also have something to do with adding another layer to your identity.”

Another fruit of repentance is fulfilling our responsibilities for what we are doing with honesty and integrity. John told tax collectors, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you,” and soldiers, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusations, and be satisfied with your wages.” Taking advantage of others and using our position of power for personal gain, is like a fruitless fig tree. It is destructive and leads to corrupt leaders like Pilate, who massacred the Galileans, and to the builders of the Tower of Siloam, whose greed caused disaster.

The fruit Jesus calls for is not something grand or impossible. It is found in small acts: sharing with those in need, being honest in our work, and caring for others. We believe that God created us to be people of love, by love, and for love. The Christian purpose in life is to love, and when we live this purpose, we experience true joy and happiness.

So let us live with purpose, our lives reflecting kindness, generosity, and integrity. Repentance is not about guilt or fear. It is about growth, renewal, and transformation. May we bear good fruit, not just for ourselves but for those around us, bringing light where there is darkness, love where there is hurt, and hope where it is most needed. 

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Rev. Min Hwang

South Stormont Pastoral Charge