The Eternal Perspective

Luke 13:3 (NKJV) - "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

When tragedies strike, we naturally ask, “Why did this happen?” or “Who is to blame?” But in Luke 13:3,5, Jesus redirects this kind of thinking by using two tragic events—a massacre of Galileans and the collapse of the Tower of Siloam—as teachable moments. Instead of allowing His listeners to focus on assigning blame or speculating about the victims' sinfulness, Jesus lifts their eyes to a greater eternal truth: repentance.

Luke 13:1–5 (NKJV)
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, no; 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 sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Jesus’ response in this passage challenges a common misconception—that tragedies happen as a direct punishment for personal sin. The people around Him assumed that those Galileans who were killed by Pilate or those crushed by the tower’s fall must have been worse sinners than everyone else. But Jesus refutes this idea, saying, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” With these words, He moves their focus from the physical tragedy to the spiritual reality.

These tragedies were not about the specific sins of the people who suffered but were instead reminders of the brevity of life and the urgency of repentance. Jesus’ point is clear: we are all sinners in need of repentance, and none of us are promised tomorrow. Just as those individuals died suddenly and unexpectedly, so too could we. The question is not “Why them?” but rather, “Am I ready to face eternity?”

This passage brings us back to the second Beatitude in Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” To mourn, in this context, is to grieve over the reality of sin—our own sin, the sin of others, and the brokenness of the world. It is a sorrow that leads us to repentance and opens the door for God’s comfort.

Repentance is not about dwelling in guilt or shame; it’s about recognizing that we are on the wrong road and turning around to follow God. Imagine driving down a scenic road, feeling the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, only to realize hours later that you’re heading in the wrong direction. No matter how good it feels, you’re lost until you stop, turn around, and head toward your real destination. That’s what repentance is—it’s realizing you’re lost and turning back to God.

Jesus’ words in Luke 13 remind us to lift our eyes from the temporary to the eternal. Tragedies, while heartbreaking, are opportunities to reflect: Am I living for God or for myself? Am I focused on the fleeting concerns of this life, or am I preparing for eternity? The comfort Jesus offers is not just for this life but for the life to come. When we repent and place our faith in Him, we are forgiven, cleansed, and given the hope of eternal life.

Our world is full of distractions that keep us from thinking about eternity. We focus on careers, possessions, and relationships, but Jesus invites us to pause and ask: Where am I heading? Am I living with an eternal perspective? If you’re not sure, the good news is that God offers a way back. He calls us to repentance, not to condemn us, but to save us and restore us to Himself.

Reflection Question: Are you living with an eternal perspective? What steps do you need to take to align your life with God’s will?

Lord, help me to lift my eyes from the temporary to the eternal. Teach me to grieve over my sin and the sin of the world in a way that leads to repentance. Show me the areas of my life where I need to turn back to You. Thank You for the comfort and hope You offer through Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Adapted from "Joy Comes in the Mourning": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/dvtcqgc/2-joy-comes-in-the-mourning