Comparing Buildings

Dhaka, Bangladesh—A factory building collapsed on Wednesday morning, killing at least 123 and injuring hundreds. People continue to search through the rubble, extracting the injured and the dead.

In Jesus’ day, a similar event happened. It was the tower of Siloam that fell, and eighteen people were killed.

Let’s read the story:

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:1-5).

Bad things happen. They can affect anyone at any time.

When Jesus was on earth, for some reason Pilate killed people from Galilee. It could have been politically motivated. Whatever the reason, Pilate was taking it out on the Galilaeans and killing them. Jesus used this example to say it wasn’t necessarily the Galilaeans’ fault.

Likewise, when the tower fell and eighteen people were killed, those people weren’t any worse than anyone else. It wasn’t their fault that they died.

The big picture in these two stories, the big lesson is the same: the spiritual condition is more important than the physical. Unless there is repentance of sins, spiritual death is the result.

Consider these verses:

• For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
• For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Corinthians 7:10).
• I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).
• Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31).
• The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

 Death comes to all men.

It is important to be ready when it comes.

Have you repented of your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Have you put your faith in Him?

That decision is the most important one in life—and in death.