We have a tendency to compare ourselves to others in order to give ourselves a false sense of worth. For example:

· I didn't get an A on that test but at least I didn't flunk it like the kid who sits behind me.
· Sure. I slack off at work but at least I show up on time.
· I yell at my kids unfairly but I don't abuse them.
· I spend more money on going out to eat than on church but at least my offering envelopes aren't still sitting at church.

And the list goes on and on. It is something I call "Justification by Comparison." Sure, I sin but there are worse sinners than me so don't tell me I have to repent and change my ways. Go take care of those others or yourself first and then maybe you can confront me for my sins.

We see this attitude adopted in cruel fashion by those around Jesus. We read that some people around Jesus told him about a recent news item with the intention that "Hey, the people who died in that incident must have been horrible sinners to die in such a way."

News Item: The people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with the sacrifices. It's hard to tell exactly what happened because this is the only known recorded account of this event. Speculation has arisen that some political activists from Galilee had caught the attention of the Roman governor and that he had sent Roman soldiers who killed them in the temple courts during the time of a sacrifice. Josephus, a Jewish historian of that time, does relate that Pilate was rather cruel so it seems logical that he would order such an atrocity as killing people in the temple area.

Point: The Galileans had it coming. They must have been quite rotten sinners to die in such a horrible way. God really had them punished for their sins. (But we aren't so bad so such a thing could never happen to us.)

This idea that those who suffer are being punished by God is also found in the following passages:
John 9:1 through John 9:2 1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 
2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Job 4:7 7 "Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
Where were the upright ever destroyed?
Job 22:5 5 Is not your wickedness great?
Are not your sins endless?

During the 1970's this idea was voiced with humor by the character Maude in that sitcom when she would say to an offender, "God's going to get you for this!"

Application: But this idea that God singles out individuals with punishment every time a catastrophe or a misfortune or an accident occurs is a false assumption. As well as the idea that if we get through life or a period of life without suffering such a loss that we must be O.K. and don't need to repent.

Jesus Response. "Do you think that they were worse sinners? I tell you "No!" (Emphatic answer "Not so, by no means.") Jesus would also bring up another similar incident of a tower falling on 18 people in Jerusalem with the same conclusion. He then goes on to warn them that rather than think that those who suffer tragedy are worse sinners, that they themselves are sinners in danger of punishment and that they had better repent (change their ways) now before it is too late.

Application: We learn of similar tragedies on a regular basis. 
· The man and his son killed on HWY 41 and burned beyond recognition.
· Civilian and Military airplane crashes.
· People succumbing to the ravages of cancer.
· Thousands dying in earthquakes.

We may harbor the same false belief that these things happen to them because they are more deserving of punishment and that things are going well for us because we aren't such miserable sinners.

But we are indeed (as we confess) poor, miserable sinners who do deserve God's temporal and eternal punishment. The Commandment show this to us beyond a doubt.
1. God first? Then shouldn't activities for worship, Bible study, and Christian fellowship take precedence in our schedules?
2. God's name? But how often don't we curse, swear, and use it superstitiously?
3. Sabbath? Consider your worship attendance and your attitude in worship? 
4. Honor authority? Obey all the laws, submit to parents, husband, leaders in the church, government.
5. Kill? Hate, and seek revenge.
6. Adultery? Fantasizing, lust, immorality, disrespect for marriage.
7. Steal? How honest are you really? (Robbing God in tithes and offerings.) 
8. Bear false witness? What are you really saying about others?
9. Covet? Give me more and more and more all the time. Not being content with what we have.

O.K. So maybe you aren't as bad as those who get arrested, whose spouses leave them, or juvenile delinquents. That's not the point. We aren't justified by comparing ourselves to them but to God's law. And we come up very short as St. Paul so clearly tells us in Romans.
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

Added point: Maybe God hasn't allowed tragedy to come into your life so that you will recognize how kind he is and that his kindness is to lead you to repentance?

St. Paul and Jesus calls on us to repent. "To change for the better as a result of regret or sorrow over one's sins." This call to repentance is made repeatedly throughout the Bible. The root word is used in almost 150 verses. Obviously, it is something that God wants us to do.

Why? Why is it so necessary for us to turn from our pet sins, our sinful attitudes, our bad habits, our failures? Because Jesus warns of the consequences. Unless you repent, you will also perish.
(To be destroyed, ruined, condemned to hell.) Jesus uses one of the strongest words to denote the consequences of refusing to repent.

Notice how Jesus doesn't pull any punches. He warns those who are smug in their own righteousness and hits them between the eyes with the full force of the law and the judgment of God on those who refuse to turn from their sins.

But what will happen if someone does repent? Jesus teaches the parable of the fig tree. A man has a vineyard and in this vineyard there existed a fig tree. Normally, you wouldn't have a fig tree in a vineyard but if it is productive you would let it stay. But this tree was not productive. After three years, the owner wanted to have it cut down. "Why should it use up the soil?" 

Those who don' t repent are unproductive and are in danger of being punished. But note first of all the patience of the land owner. (Three years). 2 Peter 3:9 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The servant (who stands for Jesus) is also helpful. He pleads for more time. 
8 "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"

Application: God has been patient with you. He uses his word and those who bring you the word to dig around you and to fertilize you. The goal is that you will bear much fruit, showing yourself to be Jesus' disciples. God forgives even the worst sinners who do repent. And if we do notice that we are "better sinners" than others, then we need to remove the plank from our own eyes (because we aren't "better sinners" after all) by repenting and then help them remove the speck of sawdust from their eyes. God does forgive and he does bring eternal punishment on those who do repent and bring forth the fruits of repentance. But be sure of this, our first responsibility is to repent!

Conclusion: Jesus ends this parable and this discussion with a final warning. "If not, then cut it down." He ends with the Law. At the seminary, our professors told us not to end a sermon with the law. But Jesus does. God makes every effort to lead the sinner (to lead each of us) to repentance. But he will condemn to hell those who refuse to listen to him. Amen.