When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Last Sunday's Sermon

The Reading

Luke 13:1-9


At that very time there were some present who told Jesus 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.'"

The Sermon

People suffer. The Jews living in Egypt during the time of Exodus suffered. Jesus is reminded by his followers of an incident where a group of Galileans suffered and died at the hands of Pilate. When he was asked if their suffering was the result of them being especially big sinners. He says no. However Jesus qualifies this by saying that there are consequences for the things we do.

Consequences are often thought of in a negative sense as Jesus does here. But I have to say that the consequence door swings both ways. Yes, if we do bad things they could have a negative effect. If we do good things, those things could have a positive effect. The bottom line is that whatever we do has an effect on other things.

When Jesus mentions the Tower of Siloam falling on a group of people he tells them that these people were no worse than the rest of us. So, how do we explain these things that happen to people? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to innocent people? Is there a theological answer? If there is one, I have not heard it.

What I do believe is that God is involved in our lives and there is a divine dance that is happening in this universe. I believe that God has promised us an eternal life and maybe, just maybe we will understand the divine dance someday.

Jesus continues to teach his followers with a parable about a fig tree that was not producing fruit. The owner wanted to cut it down but the gardener says no. He tells the owner to give the tree some time and he will give it extra care by tilling around it and fertilizing and thereby giving this bothersome tree a chance to become healthy again and bear much fruit.

Jesus was talking about us, God's people. Jesus was telling us that if we are nurtured our chances of becoming Godly people are enhanced dramatically. We are here to care for each other and as we are nurtured we are likely to bear much fruit. This nurturing is all about love and compassion for our fellow human and trusting that God is with us.

Amen