Are some more guilty?

In my quiet time this morning I was reading in Luke 13. I've started a program to read through the Bible in a year, Crosswalk sends me daily readings (from NT, OT and currently the Psalms). If I take it online, there are some other cross references available. What a blessing to be able to get some of the history behind what I'm reading (especially while my books are in storage). Makes me appreciate more the freedoms I have in the US and the books available in my mother tongue. But I'm getting away from the point.

Luke 13:1-17
Repent or Perish
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

I needed to research a little about the Galileans who were murdered...or should I say I wanted to. It flows from Jesus' previous words about repenting before you are thrown into prison...could death be prison?

Anyway, it was more the ending of his words that spoke to me. How often do we as Western believers automatically assume that catastrophe hits the areas that are furthest from God? I recall these words being said of the 2004 Tsunami or when New Orleans was destroyed by Katrina. And again with the earthquake that devastated Haiti. Jesus very plainly points out that they are no guiltier than the rest of us. We are all sinners...sin is sin and there are no varying degrees. The grace comes in the repentance and accepting that Jesus has paid the price for our sinfulness. And because of this, we don't have to fear death...we know where our place in eternity is.