Daily Bible Reading 5th October 2026 // Luke 13:1-9
1 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.”
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vine dresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
The message of the parable for the Church is just as compelling. After all, it was Jesus Who warned the churches in Asia (in Revelation 2, 3) that unless they repented, He would remove their candlesticks out of their place. Jesus said, of the Church of His day, 'Behold your house is left unto you desolate, because you did not know the time of your visitation'. The story which follows this, of the healing of the infirm woman, and the leader of the synagogue's criticism of the healing because it was done on the Sabbath day, is an evidence of how much and how tragically it had 'lost the place', and become barren and unfruitful. Well, the Church's history in the 20th century gives cause, surely, for solemn pause. How many appeals of grace have come to it! How many warning signs - falling attendances, shortage of candidates for ministry and mission-field, lack of finance, failing influence. And if there have been times when God has raised up prophets to speak and men after His own heart to proclaim His Word, is it not simply the evidence of His patience and long-suffering and His willingness to bless, if only His people will repent and turn in new obedience to Him? And if, as the parable suggests, the special digging round and dunging of the fig-tree represents divine grace being provided, is this not an indication of the multiplication of the means of grace which is so often granted to men and nations in the last period of their probation, and just before these means are withdrawn from them forever? Is it not possible to view much that is happening in spiritual life today in this light - the quickening in many places, the indications of movement in many organisations, among young people, in the student world and elsewhere - a gathering of fruit from the Church, almost in spite of itself, before the day of probation is over. What if, at the end, there is no real repentance, the day of grace should pass from the West and dawn elsewhere (as has happened before in past history - think of N. Africa, or Turkey, where once the gospel flourished so gloriously). It could happen again!