There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'The question to consider in this text: Why would God allow the events of 9/11 to happen?
There are two assumptions which are both false. 1. Suffering draws us closer to ourselves. That is it makes us learn to love one another. But, this is insufficient, for it makes lightly the problem of sin. 2. Martin Marty has said, "I don't know." This is the answer that says there is no answer. It gives suffering too much credit. Therefore there is no God.
However, when considering the question of suffering we must go back to God. The question one must ask is What does God say however?There are two tragic events where it involved the death of 'innocence' people - according to our worlds standards. In verse 2 Jesus answers by challenging the Jewish answer. That ones suffering is caused by ones deficiency. It is in other words Karma - that is what comes up must come down.
Verse 3 - Jesus answers no they were not the worse of sinners. This is the assumption that someone is suffering it must mean that they are worse than anyone else.
Verse 4 - Jesus explains with another example to help clarify the first comment.
There are 4 universal principles we may see in this passage:- Tragedy in a persons life as no sure signs of a persons standing. One can see that Jesus is now tearing down the issue of pride.
- Sin is personal. The external important matter is our own sinfulness.
- The result of the enterance in the world is death. This means that one day we will die. The proof that we are all sinners is that we all die. But there is another part of this death to - that is the fact that we are all born in Adam by birth and so are thus born spiritually dead which one sees the outcome of this spiritual death which leads ultimately to physical death.
- The judgment of God against sinners is eternal death which is so clearly emphasised in this verse
SO what is the conclusion?
There are no good people. We all like sheep have gone astray - Isaiah 53:6. Of course the way that I went is different than the way you may have gone -whether it be Homosexuality, disobedience to parents, or even stealing. We all choose to live in sin daily - this is the passive wrath of God who hands us over according to the lustful patterns of our hearts. Romans 1:18-32
We are to repent. Again the call is still the same for you and me to repent from sin.
God invites us to turn from our wickedness today to turn to Jesus Christ in faith - trusting not in ourselves for righteousness but in Him.
Finally, why does God allow suffering, it is because tragedy's are used by God so that we would know our sin. C.S. Lewis - the problem of pain.
