“I desired to gather your children together” (Luke 13:1-9, 31-35)

Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 (NRSV)

1 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 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? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” 6 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. 7 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?’ 8 He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'”

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'”

March 12, 2017 Sermon Notes

Last Sunday night a group from the church traveled to Sikeston to watch the movie, The Shack. After watching the movie we went across the street to Applebees to have supper and discuss what we had seen. The movie and the book it was based upon have stirred a lot of debate among Christians. Some people are inspired by the story. Others feel that it plays too loose with Biblical truths. Overall our group enjoyed the film and felt that it provided a lot of fodder for conversation.

One of the questions that came up in the movie and in our discussion was how could a good and loving God allow tragedy to happen. This was a question that Mack, the main character, brought up directly with God. Rather than being a detailed theological exposition, The Shack is a story that wrestles with the idea of tragedy, loss, and grief. This struggle provides the framework for the interaction between Mack and God, as well as Mack and the rest of his family. Even though The Shack is a totally fictional story, the reality of evil is something that each of us deal with each and every day.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

There is nothing new in the search. In philosophical and theological circles, this question is called theodicy. It is the question that Jesus encountered in today’s Scripture lesson. He hears terrible news that Pontius Pilate has defiled Jewish sacrifice with the blood of Galileans. Then he brings up another situation, a tower collapse that killed eighteen people. At no point did he blame the people who were killed. Neither did he explain away the tragedies or pretend they did not exist.

Even though we like to think of ourselves as smart and sophisticated, we often find ourselves doing the very thing that Jesus refused to do. When we hear that someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, we immediately think to ourselves that they must have been a smoker. Rape victims are questioned about their attire. The poor are thought to be lazy. Grieving families are given cheap platitudes by friends who do not know what to say at funerals.

Instead of casting blame or ignoring reality, Jesus chose to focus on attitude of the crowd. He called on them to repent. They were asked to focus on the kingdom of God and bear fruit as a result of that faithfulness. Essentially, he used the tragedies to remind them that they only had so long on this planet. No one is going to live forever.

Jesus the careful gardener

While this seems like an uncaring statement, it must be viewed in the context of what he said next. He proceeded to tell a story about a fig tree that was not producing. Figs are extremely slow growing. To have an unhealthy tree taking up space in the garden had long term consequences. The landowner had every reason to pull the unproductive tree out and get a new one started.

Fortunately, the gardener intervened. Fertilizer and care was provided in the hope that the fig would produce in the future.This is the way that Jesus intervenes for us in the midst of the tragedy of the world. Evil is a reality. Terrible things happen. At the same time, he takes care of us, prunes us, and helps us grow back into fruitful children of God.

Jesus the mother hen

Another image of Christ’s care for us in the midst of tragedy came in his lamentation over Jerusalem. He recognized that the very city where he would die, was also the place where his love would be most clearly felt. Like ours, his grief was real. Evil would take his life. Like us, he would die.

This terrible reality is why we can take him seriously when he offers his love and support. He has walked our path. He used imagery that we can understand. The image of a mother hen gathering her chicks is a reality that anyone who has ever been around chickens can understand. Mother hens are tenacious. They can be fierce when the chips are down. They will give their lives to protect their little ones.

Tragedy is real. Jesus never denies it or explains it away. Instead, he tells us we will never have to face it alone. Jesus says that we will be gathered under his wings and comforted. Eternal shelter is ours. Warmth and peace will be granted to us. Secure in that promise we can have the confidence to bear faithful fruit no matter how broken the world may become.