When forests burn, an epidemic rages, or illness strikes your loved ones, is that a sign of God’s anger? People in Jesus’ day wrestled with the same question, asking him about the Galileans killed by Pilate and the eighteen crushed by the tower of Siloam (Luke 13). This sermon reveals Jesus’ surprising answer: misfortunes are not proof of anyone’s greater sin, but they can become an opportunity for reflection and for turning to God. Listen before life asks you this question itself.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Luke 13:1-5 people tell Jesus about the Galileans killed by Pilate and the eighteen who died when the tower of Siloam fell. Why does Jesus twice answer "not at all," and what about His reply surprises His listeners?
- What does the parable of the fig tree that bore no fruit for three years (Luke 13:6-9) reveal about God's justice, and what does it reveal about His goodness and patience?
- The sermon says that for God there are no greater or lesser sinners. How does this truth change the way you view disasters that strike others and the suffering of people close to you?
- The speaker describes a man who thinks of someone else during every sermon until he finally sees his own face. In what situations is it easier for you to talk about other people's sin than your own?
- Instead of asking "why did this happen," the sermon encourages us to ask "what can I learn from this." What hard experience in your life has become an opportunity to reflect and turn to God?
- Since time is limited and God gives us an opportunity now, what specifically do you want to change this week, who do you need to reconcile with, or what do you want to bring to Jesus?
