Monday, March 5th reminded us on just how evil the days really are.
Dare 2 Share - Luke 13:1-5
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 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? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
March 5th, 2001 was my birthday. In theory, a day to celebrate, reflect, and look ahead with anticipation at what the future may hold in store. Of all the days in the year, a birthday should be one of peace.
Instead, Monday was a day to mourn, regret, and look ahead with fear at the shape of the future- for once again the appalling news of yet another school shooting rang through the airwaves. For the fourteenth time in three years, another reminder of the unthinkable violence that permeates the soul of our society like a lethal cancer.
When unbelievable tragedy such as this occurs, it is easy for us to begin the questioning process. Why does this keep happening? When will it stop? What does God have to say about all this?
Obviously there are no simple answers or solutions. Yet in the midst of this week’s heartbreaking news, I was reminded of two terrible tragedies that occurred during the life of Jesus, and interestingly enough, the same questions were posed to Him.
One tragedy was a result of a vile man named Pilate, who murdered innocent Galileans while they were worshipping God. Basically this was the cultural equivalent of a church shooting. The second occurred as a result of a tower collapsing on a group of people and killing 18 people. When these misfortunes occurred, the crowds wanted answers- and God Himself was on the scene.
What is amazing, though, is that Jesus doesn’t even try to explain the causes or solutions to the calamities. He purposely avoids going into a social discourse about the bad parenting that Pilate grew up with, or the effect that the violence in the coliseum has on people. In fact, He doesn’t even launch into a sermon about free will and God allowing bad things to happen.
Instead, Jesus speaks to this situation with a reminder of ultimate destiny: “…unless you repent, you too will all perish”.
Is Jesus being coy and evasive? I think not. He simply had a completely different perspective on tragedy, which is one that we must have as well.
Jesus didn’t look back and try to piece together the causality of these events. Neither did He issue a current political statement regarding immediate actions to be taken by His Father. Instead, He looked forward in order to remind everyone about the ultimate question: what will happen to me when I die?
There are many complicated and puzzling events that cause us to question the foundations of our reality, and there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Yet in the midst of all the tragedy and confusion, keep Christ’s perspective close at hand. We must “be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16)
Monday, March 5th reminded us on just how evil the days really are.
Questions:
1. Are you prepared this very moment to stand before God? If not, click on the “I Need Hope” channel of www.dare2share.org
2. Do you have friends that need the assurance of eternal life that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ? Use this opportunity to tell them the good news.
