NOTES for Luk 13:1-9

Our stereotyped thinking usually assumes that God, as judge and executioner in one, deliberately sends specific disasters to punish particular people. This idea was widespread during the earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ as well. When He was told about the Galileans killed by Pilate, those telling Him most likely asked, or implied, the question: why? In the same way, after the man born blind was healed, the disciples asked who had sinned, the man himself or his parents. Why did people perish when no particular guilt greater than that of others was known against them? And the Lord has to repeat again and again what had already been said many times through the prophets of Israel: “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Strictly speaking, it is fairly obvious that our disasters arise because we feel no need for God, but in our time, when thousands of ordinary people die as a result of terrorist attacks and catastrophes, it is very important for us to grasp this firmly. God is not our executioner, but our Defender, our Savior. Yet to seek refuge in this protection, we must trust Him, seek Him with all our heart, and turn to Him.