WHEN
TRAGEDY STRIKES!
Luke 13:1-5
13
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose
blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were
sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4
Or
those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them,
think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
It
is in the news!
It is all we can talk about but it will soon be forgotten because it will be
replaced by yet another tragedy. It will be in the news! It will be all we can
talk about!
Jesus
was addressing those
who felt morally superior to the victims of two local and horrific incidents.
It was fresh in their minds but they harshly and falsely judged the victims
and, in doing so, felt safe in their own hypocrisy. Jesus challenged this.
Do
not suppose
that the victims suffered because they were bad people. Why did they die and
others live? Remember that this is not a world of retribution – it is a world of
randomness. The rain falls on the just as well as the unjust.
The
commonality
of the human condition is highlighted by Jesus. We all have a target on our
backs. It is appointed unto man “once to die.” It is unavoidable.
We
do, however, have a choice in the after death experience. Sin has chosen hell
for us but the Savior has chosen Heaven. It is a tie which can only be broken
by our determining vote.
Dear
Lord, tragedy grips our heart and overflows our eyes with tears. Let us run to
the safety of your open arms. AMEN
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