The Tower of Siloam

This part of Luke continues the section that began at 12:1, where Jesus warned the crowds of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who clung to him in the hope that they would catch him out in something he said (11:13-12:1). He was now surrounded by huge crowds.

We don’t know anything more about the incident related here, of Pilate ordering the massacre of Jews while they were offering sacrifice, presumably in the Temple. It is completely consistent with everything else we know about this man. He was later to be held responsible for Jesus’ own death.

On the present occasion, the Jews confront Jesus with the question, Did the Galileans deserve this fate? I suspect that in the back of their minds was the anxious question “Could it have been me?” and the hope that “No, it couldn’t, because I keep the law and God will protect me.” Crass? Yes, but haven’t you had this kind of thought go through your mind when you hear of a disaster?

Jesus had been confronted with the connection between sin and suffering more than once (for example, Mark 2:5). This time, he challenges us. Were the people the Tower of Siloam fell on (or the people the earthquake buried, or the person killed in that car accident, etc.) any more sinful than others? Of course not. These things happen, and it’s no use asking “Why?” Sometimes someone is to blame, sometimes not.

But there is something more to be said. The challenge for us is in the last comment. We’re asking the wrong question. Instead of asking “Why did that happen to them?” we need to ask “Why has it not happened to us?” If we believe that God is just, the puzzle is not “Why did they die?” but “Why has he spared me?”

Like the gardener in the parable of the fig tree, he extends to us the opportunity to bear fruit. How will you respond?

Respond in Prayer

Father God, forgive me for my continual willfulness. Thank you for not being like the Pharisees, judgmental and ready to punish me the moment I do something wrong. Thank you for your committed love, your mercy, and your forgiveness. Keep me close to you, bearing good fruit, for Jesus' sake, Amen.

Annabel Robinson

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).