Would Jesus Call People to Repentance in the Aftermath of Tragedy?

Tony Miano is no stranger to controversy, receiving insults and death threats, and even arrest for the heinous crimes of calling sin what God calls sin and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Contrary to what is often alleged by Tony's critics, his gospel is not a gospel of hate. His gospel is the same gospel that Jesus and the Apostles preached. Tony preaches that all have sinned, and that all who repent and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins will be forgiven and have eternal life.  

It's not surprising that people who do not profess Christ find this message offensive. What is sad is that so many who profess to be Christians find this message offensive. In observing Tony's Twitter interactions and watching some of his street preaching interactions, you see that some of his most vocal critics are professing Christians who are embarrassed by his proclamation of the Biblical gospel. It's maddening to see people make bold assertions about the nature and ministry of Christ that are easily contradicted by the gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry.

Recently, Tony sent out a tweet in response to the news of the Nepal earthquake. You can read that tweet below, along with an example of a response by a professing Christian.

Now, let's be honest about what Tony did and did not say in the original tweet. He did not say he was glad the earthquake happened.  He did not say he was happy that buildings were destroyed.  He did not say that he was happy that people of other religions were dead.  

The event happened, and Tony said what any genuine Christian should desire, that people turn from false religions and trust in Christ.  You cannot call yourself a Christian and not desire that.  Jesus came not to merely demonstrate love, but to seek and to save the lost. Paul's burden for the lost people of Israel was so great that he said he would become accursed if it meant the salvation of Israel (Romans 9:1-3). The Jesus who is okay with people practicing false religion or remaining in their sins is a false Jesus of demonic origin.  

But was it right for Tony to use the occasion of a tragedy to call people to repentance and belief in the gospel? Are the people saying that Jesus wouldn't do so correct? Would Jesus call people to repent in the aftermath of a tragedy?

Actually there's no question to answer. Jesus did exactly that in Luke 13:1-5.  Those who say that Jesus wouldn't demonstrate an ignorance of the true Jesus.

Read Luke 13:1-5 below.

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 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? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 

Jesus is asked about one, and then brings up another, event in which people lost their lives.  One was an act of evil, the other a tragic accident.  We don't know exactly when these events occurred or how far removed from the events Jesus was when he made these statements, but we can safely assume that everyone in the audience knew about the events, or would soon know if the slaying of the Galileans had taken place immediately before Jesus' teaching.  

Jesus' message was repent, or you too shall perish.  Jesus used the occasion of tragedy to confront people with their own sinfulness and need for forgiveness.  

The passage is immediately preceded by Luke 12:57-59.

And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

In context, Jesus' message could not be clearer. You are on your way to face the judge for the debt of your sin, and you better settle your account before you get there or the debt will never be paid.  

Tragedy and evil remind us that we don't know when our appearance before the judge is going to come.  This isn't emotional manipulation or trying to capitalize on tragedy.  This is reality.

We are all going to die, and none of us knows when that will come.  Tragedy reminds us we could lose our lives at any moment.  Jesus himself set the example of using tragedy to remind people of the need for repentance and faith.  

Anyone who dies in their sins will suffer God's wrath for eternity.  The only way to be spared God's wrath is to repent of sin and trust Jesus, who bore God's wrath for His people on the cross in a once for all sacrifice.  

So tragedy reminds us of our own mortality and should be a reminder to Christians of the urgency of our task.  Thousands of people in Nepal woke up a few days ago with no idea that hours later they would stand before the God who made them and be judged for their sins.  Christians must urgently fulfill the Great Commission, taking the gospel to all peoples so that all who believe will not perish but have eternal life.

If you call yourself a Christian and you are ashamed of the gospel being proclaimed, you need to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). You cannot claim Christ while being ashamed of Christ's gospel.  You need to read the gospels and the rest of the New Testament in their entirety rather than cherry picking a few out of context verses and make sure that the Jesus you believe in is the true Jesus.

There is never a wrong time to share the gospel.  Tragedy may strike at any moment.  It is appointed for man once to die and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). As Christians, we have the message of the only possible salvation from that the judgment.  Instead of criticizing people like Tony Miano who are doing everything they can to proclaim that message to those still dead in their trespasses and sins, we should be convicted of our own apathy towards the lost and join him in proclaiming the gospel of God's glorious grace.

**Update**

I preached a sermon on Luke 13:1-5 a few years ago.  You may watch that sermon here.