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There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans,
whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said
unto them, “Do you suppose that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the
others because they suffered such things? No, but except you repent, you shall
perish as well. Or consider those eighteen the tower at Siloam fell on and
crushed them. Do you think they were the worst sinners in Jerusalem? Again, No,
but unless you repent, you will perish in the same way.”
(Luke 13:1-4)
It has been a tough several weeks for many across wide portions of our country and around the world. The Boston Marathon Bombing, The explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, accusations of chemical weapons in Syria, bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, and – closest to home – the tornadoes of May 15th, and, even last night, the awful weather disasters in Oklahoma. Before that, we had a host of mass shootings in various parts of the country. So many innocent people suffering so much.
Why do bad things happen to good people? It is hard to say. People asked those questions in Jesus’ time and got no more of a complete answer than you have probably received in the past.
The popular answer in Jesus day was that bad things do not happen to good people. Bad things happen to bad people. It was thought that God used the events of the world to punish the wicked. It makes sense doesn’t it, the flood, the plagues sent upon the Egyptians, even the invading armies occupying the disobedient Israelites from time to time.
However, Jesus put forward a new concept. Maybe bad things just happen. That doesn’t mean that there is nothing to learn from the event, and it does not mean that the interpretation automatically has to include punishment of someone for something.
Jesus interpreted the events of the well-known local disasters in light of eternity rather than in light of past events. What should we consider based on the tornado that struck our community this past Wednesday? According to Jesus, those events should motivate people to be prepared for the future, their transition from this life to life eternal.
The perishing Jesus warned against was not that of a tower falling upon a group of people or an evil king seeking to motivate a population through fear. No, Jesus was warning about the suddenness and abruptness of life. This warning speaks to our preparation for life eternal, but it also speaks to the need to say those kindnesses that need to be said while there is still time.
What is your warning? Is there an encouragement you need to speak? Is there a transgression for which you need forgiveness? Is there a commitment on which you need to follow through? Is there a faith you need to live out in the world around you? Jesus encourages us, “Do it while there is yet time!"
Pastor Craig
(Luke 13:1-4)
It has been a tough several weeks for many across wide portions of our country and around the world. The Boston Marathon Bombing, The explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, accusations of chemical weapons in Syria, bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, and – closest to home – the tornadoes of May 15th, and, even last night, the awful weather disasters in Oklahoma. Before that, we had a host of mass shootings in various parts of the country. So many innocent people suffering so much.
Why do bad things happen to good people? It is hard to say. People asked those questions in Jesus’ time and got no more of a complete answer than you have probably received in the past.
The popular answer in Jesus day was that bad things do not happen to good people. Bad things happen to bad people. It was thought that God used the events of the world to punish the wicked. It makes sense doesn’t it, the flood, the plagues sent upon the Egyptians, even the invading armies occupying the disobedient Israelites from time to time.
However, Jesus put forward a new concept. Maybe bad things just happen. That doesn’t mean that there is nothing to learn from the event, and it does not mean that the interpretation automatically has to include punishment of someone for something.
Jesus interpreted the events of the well-known local disasters in light of eternity rather than in light of past events. What should we consider based on the tornado that struck our community this past Wednesday? According to Jesus, those events should motivate people to be prepared for the future, their transition from this life to life eternal.
The perishing Jesus warned against was not that of a tower falling upon a group of people or an evil king seeking to motivate a population through fear. No, Jesus was warning about the suddenness and abruptness of life. This warning speaks to our preparation for life eternal, but it also speaks to the need to say those kindnesses that need to be said while there is still time.
What is your warning? Is there an encouragement you need to speak? Is there a transgression for which you need forgiveness? Is there a commitment on which you need to follow through? Is there a faith you need to live out in the world around you? Jesus encourages us, “Do it while there is yet time!"
Pastor Craig
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