Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish

 Good morning. Skipping verses – some reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Back then, and even now, people believed that when something bad happens to you it was because you did a great sin. Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (though He did not say it would be a horrific death). Or do you suppose that those 18 on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will likewise perish. Again, just because something bad happens to you does not mean that you are a bad person. On the other hand, the opposite is also true – just because something good happens to you does not mean that you were a good person. Then we have the parable about the prodigal son. The younger son wanted the share of the estate that was to be his. The oldest son always got an extra share – so this would mean 1/3 of all. He gathered everything together and left. This meant that he had no plans of ever returning. He spent it all and got a job feeding pigs. He then came to his senses. He goes home to ask his father’s forgiveness and beg for a job. While he was still a long way off his father saw him and felt compassion. Most likely he had heard the rumors that the older son had heard. Who knows how many sleepless nights he had spent grieving over his younger son. For the father to feel compassion towards the son, the son must have looked horrible. We’ll finish this tomorrow. Father thank You that we are always faithful to You. We do not turn our back on You and Your ways.

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