Repent or Perish

Christians and non-Christians often ask the same question when tragedy happens. Whether it is the recent chemical attack from Syria or hurricanes that hit the east coast, humans naturally ask the same the questions. How could a loving God allow this to happen?

How should Christians respond when tragedy strikes? With the internet and smart phone aps , news spreads quickly. I think Jesus gives us an answer. I hope this strengthens your theology and enables you to minster to an unbelieving world.  

Luke 13:1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

Repent or Perish

13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 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? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 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? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

5 points that I gleaned from this passage:

1.   Everyone dies. Sin runs deep. We offend a Holy God. Jesus says, “you all will likewise perish.” No one born will live on this forever. Everyone dies, because we are sinful people.

2.   Because sin runs so deep, God is justified to kill you at anytime. Romans 5:12, “…Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin.” We don’t know when we will die but we will die.

3.   Life is short, very short. We are midst, we live, and we die. Four generations after we die, our families will not even know our name. What are the names of your great, great grandparents?

4.   Bad things don’t only happen to bad people. Christians and non- Christians both die and suffer.

5.   Repent. When tragedy happens, Christians tell the world, repent. The same thing is going to happen to you. You will die, you don’t know when, Repent or you likewise will perish. 

When redemption does not mean Redemption

Matthew 21:33-46 is an interesting passage. To fully grasp the impact of this passage we have to take this all the way back to Exodus 12.

After being held captive under Pharaoh for many years, God rescued the people of Israel from under his cruel leadership. God sent plagues, harden hearts, and made a sea part to accomplish His plan and purpose to redeem Israel. Moses (the first choir director) sang a song of rejoicing in Exodus 15. Exodus 15:13, “You have led in your steadfast love the people who you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode” (ESV).

The question is redeemed from what? They were redeemed from slavery, slavery from Pharaoh NOT sin. One cannot read this passage and draw the conclusion that Israel was spiritually redeemed (which would mean every single person in that nation had their sins forgiven and was born again).

Now, that brings me to Matthew 21:33-46. Here is a breakdown of the parable.

The master in this parable is God.

The tenants are the nation of Israel (including the chief priests and Pharisees).  

The servants are the Old Testament Prophets.

The heir is Jesus.

God redeemed (physical picture of our spiritual redemption) the nation of Israel. They had the covenants and all the special privileges. Our Messiah came from the seed of this nation. The physical redemption of Israel was and is very important.

Jesus is telling them, through this parable, the reality they are facing. In fact, in verse 41, is the answer to their own reality, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death”. Jesus reveals something that the Apostle Paul later calls a mystery. God will “let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give Him the fruits in their season.”  

The other tenants are the gentiles. This is a foreshadowing of Acts. Jesus comes to earth, and what did His people do, they killed Him. Just like they killed the other prophets. Why? They were not really God’s redeemed people. After Jesus death, resurrection and ascension the Gospel goes to the world. Here, along with believing Jews, the church is formed. The Church is the true redeemed people of God, which are mostly gentile believers.

Matthew 21:43-44 is a summary and interpretation of the parable. Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away for you and giving to a people producing its fruits”. The real people of God (the church) produce fruit. Fruit is evidence that you are part of God’s Kingdom. Without fruit (having a new heart or being born again) you will not inherit the kingdom of God. Israel, as a whole, did not produce fruit.

The physical redemption of the nation of Israel did not produce real, authentic faith. It was only a temporary picture of the true people of God, the Church. Also, the nation of Israel was not “Carnal”. There are some that would say the nation of Israel had faith to follow Moses out of Egypt but did not submit to God’s law, thus making them carnal. That is just not true and cannot be proven in Scripture.  

Why does this matter? I am a 30 something guy living in Eastern North Carolina, who like tailgates and BBQ. My family tree traces back to England. How does this impact my life?

1.       There are 39 books in our Bible about the nation of Israel in some way (Old Testament). If you include the four Gospels that is 43. All of Scripture is inspired by God, including the Old Testament.  How we read it, interpret it, is important.

2.       This should cause you to reflect on your own salvation. Believers are saved, not from Pharaoh, but from the slavery to sin. The fulfillment  is found in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. Believers have their sins forgiven AND the Holy Spirit. We have new life.

3.        It should cause you to be humble. Very humble. Just as the nation of Israel had no part in their redemption, neither did we. Prideful people bring a resume to Jesus, humble people bring nothing. True Believers know they bring nothing to the game. Jesus did it all.

4.       It should cause us to sing praises. After crossing the red sea, Israel sang praises. When a redeemed heart understands what has happened in their life – it sings. It may not be out loud with music, it may be in silence. But the heart sings (Ephesians 5:19). When worship music is played at our church, sometimes I don’t sing, I reflect on the words and what Christ has done for me, allowing my heart to sing. 

Jesus is better than Aaron

The issue in Hebrews 10 and for the most part, the whole book of Hebrews is the cross. What did Jesus accomplish by His death on the cross?

Hebrews 10:1-4

10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? ³ But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ Forit is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

First, it says in Hebrews 10:1 that the law is a shadow of the good things to come. The shadow is referring to the Old Covenant system that God gave to the nation of Israel. Part of the Old Covenant law was the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16). A priest had to offer sacrifices every year for their sins and the sins of the people of Israel. This was done by sacrificing bulls and goats. Hebrews 10:4 reads, “For it is impossible for the blood and goats to take away sins.” Our sin against God requires a perfect sacrifice, not animals.

The priest, which includes the shedding of a bulls blood is the shadow, while Christ is Real thing or fulfillment and shed His blood which took away the sins of the Church.  Jesus’ death really did something; the blood of bulls and goats does nothing.

Second,   the Day of Atonement never really took away sins. It was only a picture. However, Jesus death on the Cross atoned for the sins of His people (the elect). Jesus does not have to die over and over again, and we don’t have to come to Christ over and over again. So, Biblically there is no such thing as, "I came to Christ at age 7 and Jesus became my Lord at age 22." Believers have their sins forgiven AND we also get a new heart or a changed life, when we believe. Both are applied at the time of belief. Hebrews 10:14, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Both, forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit changing our lives, are part of the atonement. This is sometimes referred to as Lordship Salvation.

Third, the Day of Atonement took place every year. Jesus only died once to pay for sins.

Fourth, a priest represents a people to God. Therefore, Jesus represents all those who will believe (the elect) by offering His own life on the cross as the sacrificial offering to the Father on behalf of His Church. Those whom Jesus represents will never ever lose their salvation.

In summary, we are crazy to think the blood of created animals will cover our sins against a Holy God. We have sinned against at God that is holy, pure, righteous, and sovereign. God chose to send His Son to die on the cross so I could worship Him forever.