Luke 13:1-5 (Common English Bible)

Some who were present on that occasion told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices. He replied, “Do you think the suffering of these Galileans proves that they were more sinful than all the other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did. What about those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more guilty of wrongdoing than everyone else who lives in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did.”

The crowds wanted answers for why bad things happen. We don’t know much about the two events that Luke includes here – Pilate’s execution of Gentiles and the fallen tower of Siloam – but the little we gather presents existential questions. Why would God-fearing Gentiles be killed after following the law? Why would innocent people die by random chance?  In these days of pandemic, we may be asking similar questions. At times like these, we may call God’s justice into question, or we may even try to justify God. “Perhaps those who suffer are facing the consequences of their own sins?” we may say alongside the crowds. Like them, we look to Jesus to affirm our simple answers. But Jesus resists. “Did these bad things happen because the people sinned?” Jesus simply says, “no.”

Instead of answering the question, “Why do we die?” Jesus asks, “Why do we live?” He redirects the crowds to their own humanity and calls on them to examine their lives. The kingdom of God is on Earth, and the crowds have the chance to live in its abundance – or surely face death. We modern readers know how the story continues: Jesus will die as well. Our God who came to us just as we are in flesh-and-bone also accepted our same finite humanity. Yes, like our God-On-Earth, we will also one day face our finitude. But here – and now – Jesus shows us that we have a chance to live.

• Where have you seen the good in humanity during this pandemic?
• What simple answers might Jesus be asking you to put aside during this time of big questions?
• How is Jesus inviting you to live during this shared human experience? 

Jesus, you resist our simple answers. We ask that you would redirect our attention toward your Kingdom, that we may choose life over death. In the name of God-On-Earth-In-Flesh-And-Bone, amen.

 

Illustration: Martina Heiduczek