Tragedies and God

As I finish up my time here in Japan, surrounded by tragedy, I have something I would like to share.  This also comes from a discussion I had with someone here while in Japan about tragedies such as this and God.

His take was from the approach that God was vindictive and mean.  If He’s God and He is sovereign, why would He let something like this happen?  There were children who died.  Why did they have to die?  What enourmous sin did they commit to deserve such as this?  My answer … I had none.  And I dare say that if you had had one, you would have been wrong.  For who are we to speak of why God would let something like this happen.

The day after I had this conversation with this man, I read the following Scripture.  I’m going to include it all, and then, I’ll tell you what I think.

Luke 13:1 – 8 (NIV)
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.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.  So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any.  Cut it down!  Why should it use up the soil?’

” ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine!  If not, then cut it down.’ “

Point 1: Jesus didn’t even tell the people why these tragedies occurred.  They just did.  No explanation given.

Point 2: Jesus says these tragedies did not happen to these people because they had more sin.  No.  That was not the answer.

Point 3: Notice how Jesus says, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish” after each of those tragedies.  We are all eventually going to stand before God.  Whether it be dying in a tragedy such as the Tsunami in Japan, or in a car accident, or from old age, or if we are still alive when he returns — we will all stand before God.  And if we have not accepted His free gift of salvation, hell awaits us.  That’s the perish Jesus is referring to.  Our lives are not just the few years we spend here on earth.  Our lives are ETERNAL!!! Jesus was viewing these tragedies from a perspective that is difficult for us to have.  The real perishing comes after the life leaves the earthly bodies … not when.  We will either perish or live forever with Him.

Point 4: The parable of the fig tree.  We do not have forever to produce fruit in keeping with righteousness (or believe God, receive His Son, and live for Him).  Our end is fast approaching.  You may be taken in the next big tragedy our world faces, or you may die at an old age … but do you know which?  Are you sure you’ll be here tomorrow.  The parable tells us that God is giving us all more time.  He keeps this world spinning so that others may have the time to see that He is God and He is real!

So, I can’t tell you why God allows tragedies to occur.  I won’t even defend God.  He doesn’t need me to do that.  And besides, can you imagine a Kindergartener defending an offensive lineman for a pro football team against physical attack.  And that illustration doesn’t even come close to how puny we are compared to God.  God is God!  He does what He does!  And I don’t have to defend Him.  My job is simply to continue working with the fig trees God has placed in the garden I am responsible for.  Pray for more time!  Pray for their salvation!

Go with God,
Donald B

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