Sermon Tone Analysis

Disaster.

Luke 13:1-7

Telfer Place.

September 11, 2005.

2:00-2:45

 

Luk 13:1  There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Luk 13:2  And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?

Luk 13:3  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Luk 13:4  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?

Luk 13:5  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

*On this day, exactly 4 years ago*, *2749 people died*, including *26 Canadians*, when *2 planes flew into the **World** **Trade** **Center** in **New York City*.

*Questions and speculations* remain as to *why*.

Likewise, questions and speculations abound regarding the *effects of Hurricane Katrina on the city of **New Orleans*.

As to the cause, speculation ranges from that in *European papers* which suggest that Katrina was the punishment the US received for failing to sign onto the *Kyoto** accord*.

*Islamic militants* claim that this is *judgement on the infidel*.

The city of *New Orleans*, known for *Mardi Gras, police and government corruption*, *murder* and the *occult,* received the brunt of the Hurricane known as *Katrina,* whose name comes from the word *Kurukan*, which means *evil spirit*.

*New Orleans City council president Oliver Thomas,* commented “*maybe God’s going to cleanse us*”.

*Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco* called for a *state-wide day of prayer* saying “we turn to God for strength, hope and comfort”.

In *Lk** 13*, *Jesus was asked* about a *human and divine event disaster*.

The event *halted* *all other concerns* of the people.

*The human event* consisted of *The Govenor of **Judea**, Pontius Pilat*e, killing a group of Galileans.

*The divine event,* consisted of an apparent *accident,* where eighteen died when a tower fell on them.

How do *we react* to *events like these* and the once that *occur daily* around our planet.

Some *fled wars and hunger* to come to Canada.

Others, still *have family* in harms way.

*Suffering and disasters* seem so commonplace.

In an *age of mass media* we can hear and see events *instantaneously*.

Just about every time we turn on the news, a new war or tragedy seems to occur.

The reaction for some is just to *turn the news off*.

But it is only natural for compassionate people to be filled with anger over needless suffering and senseless acts of violence.

In *dealing with suffering and disasters*, we can looks to Jesus’ works in Luke 13 for guidance.

We see 1) the Wrong Explanation 2) Weak Explanation 3) Wrong Question 4) Right Question 5) Right Answer

 

1) the Wrong Explanation

Luk 13:1  There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Luk 13:2  And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?

Some think that these Galileans were of *the faction of Judas Gaulonita, called also /Judas of Galilee/* (Act_5:37), who *disowned Caesar's authority and refused to pay tribute to him:*

Act 5:37  After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him.

He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered

* *Pontius Pilate* was *governor of **Judea* almost ten years, and about the fourth year of his government, which might be *about the fifteenth year of Tiberius' reign*, Christ finished the work of our redemption by his death.

* *The Galilaeans* are *frequently mentioned by Josephus* as *the most turbulent and seditious people*, being upon *all occasions ready to disturb the Roman authority*.

·         They *endeavoured* to *draw off the Jews from the Roman government*, and *affirmed* it was *not lawful to give tribute to Caesar*; at which

* *Pilate* being enraged, *sent a band of soldiers*, and *slew these his followers*; who were *come up to the feast of the passover*, as they were *offering their sacrifices in the temple*, and *so mixed their blood with the blood of the passover lambs*: this being lately done, some of the company spoke of it to Christ;

* *some of the Scribes and Pharisees*, whom Jesus *had just now taxed as hypocrites*; were looking to trap Jesus

·         If he *condemned Pilate’s *conduct as brutish and barbarous, they would report him as an insurrectionist like the Galilaeans

·         If  *he should approve of it*,  it would *bring him into contempt among the people*; or

·         to show his *sentiments concerning the persons slain*, whether or no they were *not very wicked persons*; and whether this was not a *judgment upon them*, to be put to death in such a manner, and at such a time and place, and which sense seems to be confirmed by Christ's answer.

*13:2 worse sinners**.*

It was the *common belief* of many that disaster and sudden death always *signified divine displeasure over particular sins* (cf.

Job 4:7).

Like the accusation of Job:

*Job 4:7  "*Remember: who that was innocent ever perished?

Or where were the upright cut off?

*Those who suffered in uncommon ways* were *therefore assumed to be guilty of some more severe immorality *

Joh 9:1  As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

*Joh** 9:2  And* his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Joh 9:3  Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Joh 9:4  We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Joh 9:6  Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva.

Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud Joh 9:7  and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent).

So he went and washed and came back seeing.

* The suffering seems so great *in **New Orleans**, and **New York*, some speculate *that their sin must be so great*.

We have seen: 1) the Wrong Explanation  and inherent in the text is:

2) Weak Explanation

 

There is *another possible explanation for this tragedy.

*This answer is *not explicitly spoken in the narrative*, but the details of the narrative point *logically* in that direction and it is difficult to argue against it.

The common assumption now and then: these people died because they were *at the wrong place at the wrong time*.

The people who were *in the twin towers in **New York**, or in **New Orleans*, and in *other disasters* are often described as *unlucky.*

This assumes that forces of *natural chance* exist.

But in terms of Sovereignty:

 

*Amo** 3:6  Is* a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?

Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?

*Psa** 103:19  The* LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

 

1) the Wrong Explanation 2) Weak Explanation and now:

3) Wrong Question

 

When we ask the *wrong questions*, we are going to naturally come up with the *wrong answers*.

*To ask why* *innocent Jews* were slaughtered by Pilate while doing sacrifice is the wrong question.

To  examine why the *hurricane hit **New Orleans*, or *why God allowed two planes to crash into the World Trade center,* is not the most *important* question.

To ask *why so many innocents die* is *not an accurate question.*

*TOTAL DEPRAVITY*

The doctrine that fallen man is *completely touched by sin* and that he is completely a sinner.

He is *not* *as bad as he could be*, *but in all areas* of his being, *body, soul, spirit, mind, emotions, etc*., he *is touched by sin*.

In that sense he is totally depraved.

Because man is depraved, nothing good can come out of him (Rom.

3:10–12)

*Rom **3:10*  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; Rom 3:11  no one understands; no one seeks for God.

Rom 3:12  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."

Rom 3:13  "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive."

"The venom of asps is under their lips."

Rom 3:14  "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness."

Rom 3:15  "Their feet are swift to shed blood; Rom 3:16  in their paths are ruin and misery, Rom 3:17  and the way of peace they have not known.",

Rom 3:18  "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

We have seen 1) the Wrong Explanation 2) Weak Explanation 3) Wrong Question now:

4) Right Question

 

Luk 13:3  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Luk 13:4  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?

*The right question* for the survivors of tragedy whether ancient or contemporary is not a philosophical one, but *a very practical one*.

In the wake of tragedy it is not so important that we know *why*.

It is *exceedingly important* that we know “*what now*”.

In the wake of tragedy the real question is: “What are we *going to do*?” How is the tragedy going to change our lives?

* *New Orleans* will decide if they will *rebuild on the same Spot*.

*New York* will decide the *extent of their rebuilding*.