A Time to Say Sorry: God’s Grace for Us – March 28, 2025

Read: Luke 13:1-9

Jesus answered, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Luke 13:2,3,6-9

A Time to Say Sorry: God’s Grace for Us

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sometimes, after something sad or bad happens, people ask, “If God is love, why does he let bad things happen?” Maybe you’ve wondered about this yourself. One thing to remember is that God didn’t create the world for suffering, and he doesn’t like when bad things happen. His heart breaks for the consequences of sin. But sin has been part of our world ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

In our reading today, Jesus was telling the crowd that not every sad or bad thing happens as a punishment. Instead, they can be a chance for us to say sorry and turn away from our sins. Some people think if they live a good life, bad things won’t happen to them. But that’s not how it works. Doing good things doesn’t mean a life without trouble. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

In Luke 13, Jesus told the people a story about a fig tree. He used this story to show that God gives everyone time on earth to say “sorry” for their sins and turn to him.

What an amazing God we have! While we might not understand why there’s suffering, he knows suffering better than anyone who has ever lived, and still, he gives us grace. He doesn’t want to punish us. In fact, in 1 Timothy 2, we learn that “God, our Savior, wants all men to be saved.” God is so kind and loving that instead of giving us what we deserve (which is punishment for our sins), he gave us the greatest gift—his Son, Jesus, to save us. Jesus is the way we can be saved from sin. No good deed will get us to heaven—it’s only by Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

God knows you perfectly. He knew you would need a Savior to wash away your sins. When bad things happen (and they will), you can rely on the love of Jesus. When you mess up (and you will), ask God to forgive you, turn from your bad choices, and ask him to help you follow him. He will hear you and help you!

Closing Prayer:

God of grace, our sins are many, but your mercy is more. Thank you for your mercy! It is stronger than the darkness and new every morning. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What does it mean to say “sorry” to Jesus? Can you remember a time when you said “sorry” to him?
• Who loves you so much that he forgives you when you say “sorry”? How does that make you feel?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does a fig tree look like? Why do you think Jesus used a fig tree in his story?
• Why is it impossible for you to get into heaven by yourself? What do you think we need to do to get to heaven?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Have you ever heard someone wonder why bad things happen if God is love? What do you think is a good answer to that question?
• How would you explain God’s love and mercy to someone who is confused about why bad things happen?