Did it ever happen to you, in the course of asking about the goings on of another, a mother or educator told you to “mind your own business”? Children often feel the need to attend to parental business, as do the children of God sometimes (Jer. 12:5). The Lord was dealing with a similar notion with those present in Luke 13. They were concerned with the weighting of God’s judgment in the atrocities and tragedies of their day (Luke 13:1-5). Just like today these questioning individuals were asking why bad things happen. Neither the atrocity of Pilate against the Galileans, nor the tragedy of the Siloam tower are recorded anywhere else but here. What can be known about them is just what is recorded. The question: “Were they sinners above others?” is still asked today. With tragedies like the recent one in Florida, folks will sometimes ask or observe it to be connected to God’s divine judgment against certain sinners or sins. Jesus’ answer: mind your own business – “I tell you no: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).
Both sinner and saint often worry, “Why?” Solomon said, “chance happens to them all” (Ecc. 9:11). You will not be able to answer everything or every question, because of limited knowledge (Job 26:14) and limited understanding (I Cor. 3:1-2). Human capacity is limited, but not so for God. He [God] will do as He chooses and doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Can God move in His judgment through natural disasters? Can He allow tragedy for the chastisement of mankind? Sure. As for knowing the what, when, where, and why—don’t count on it.
Some employ the line of questioning in trying to break the force of teaching “as applied to themselves” said H. Leo Boles in his comments on Luke 13:1-5. Rather than accepting their own individual responsibility, some resort to speculative questions. Why? The doctrine of Christ is hard to take (John 6:60), and distraction can be used to deflect the force of it. Proper application to the events of the world is very important. On this occasion Jesus does not deny their assertions, and neither does he answer their questions directly. It has been suggested that in answering as He did, Jesus may have actually been turning the question on them, saying through implication: suppose they were greater sinners than you? Had these asking been penitent followers of Christ? They may very well have been trying to deflect the force of His teaching and presence.
Everyone is responsible for himself/herself. You can’t control all world events, answer every question, control every narrative, or the salvation of others, but you can determine your own salvation, your own eternal destiny (Luke 13:3, 5; Phil. 2:12). It’s your choice. It’s in your hands. It’s within your power to change your heart and change your life in true repentance. You make the choice!
The noted philosopher of Montgomery, Hank Williams, sang, “mind your own business and you won’t be minding mine.” This is very true with regard to repentance. It requires honest appraisal of one’s self. Let God worry about the world while you attend to devoting your life to following Him by and through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mind your business.
-David Hill
