Second chances

- By Mary Anne Grand – layperson from Raymore United Church

March 30, 2025

key points from this story:

• God loves all people equally.
• The parable of the fig tree teaches forgiveness.
• God gives strength to survivors and mourners.
• Abraham and Moses negotiated for second chances.
• Repentance helps repair relationships in the present.
• Each day is a new opportunity for growth.

Through the parable of the gardener and the fig tree in Luke 13, Jesus depicts God as one who loves all people equally and gives them a second chance. How many times have we been willing to give someone or something a second chance? Those of us who have contact with children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, or schoolchildren have had the opportunity to say: "I will give you a second chance," and some of us have given a third, fourth, or maybe even a fifth chance. A child psychologist may not agree with you, but as parents, we sometimes tend to go the extra mile.

Personally, being a gardener, I often give plants another chance to produce or flower. You could say that we are not yet ready to give up—just as God is not ready to give up on us. God always gives us many chances to be productive and care for others.

Twice in the Hebrew Scriptures, other religious leaders negotiate with God for second chances. In Genesis 18, Abraham asks God to agree to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there are ten righteous men in the towns. When Moses was delayed on Mt. Sinai and the people made idols of gold and worshiped them, God's anger was so fierce that it threatened to consume them. But Moses begged God not to do it, reminding God of the covenant made with the Israelites—and so the disaster was averted.

Twice in Luke 13, Jesus says unless you repent, you will all perish. We tend to think of this perishing as happening at the end of time. In part, that is what Jesus means. But Jesus was also talking about the present time. Consider how very hard it is for most of us to even tell someone we’ve offended that we’re sorry. Every time we fail to make things right, we erect barriers in our relationships—and behind those barriers, we perish a little in the here and now.

Luke’s lesson sounds harsh, but in reality, the message is one of consolation and encouragement. It asserts that it is important for people to turn away from the belief that God controls bad things that happen to humanity and all creation. Instead, God is there giving strength to survivors, comfort to mourners, and a second chance at a fulfilling life for all.

Do we look for God in the bad or in the good? Do we take advantage of our second chances? Each moment and every day is a second chance. God is a God who gives us one more chance—always forgiving if we are open and listening—and always letting us try one more time.

God is gentle and caring with us; God always supports us lovingly until we are on our feet again. God has given us second chances through Jesus Christ. Our choice is what to do with them. May we find our second chances as we journey through this Lenten season. Amen.