When Tragedy Strikes

Luke 13:1-5 (New International Version)

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 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? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

To paraphrase a past President, Tuesday, September 11, 2001 will forever go down in history as a day of infamy. I remember watching replays of John F. Kennedy’s funeral. I remember as a young married watching the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. The bombings of embassies, the barracks in the Middle East…I could go on.

As we woke this morning July 20, 2012 we started hearing about the shooting at a crowded midnight screening of the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises,” in Aurora, Colorado.  As the story was told on TV so many different emotions flooded my heart and I’m sure yours as well; horror, grief, fear, anxiety, frustration, helplessness, anger…

Why? All day I’ve listened to the commentators, politicians and even friends attempt to give explanation for something that is ultimately unexplainable. Sin and destruction is a part of this sinful world in which we live.

As tragic as this event is – let me share with you something even more tragic. Among those that died this morning –  some of them not only died needlessly, but they will spend an eternity separated from God in a place He calls hell because they senselessly and needlessly failed to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and leadership in their lives.

To die suddenly, pointlessly, is one thing – but to spend an eternity separated from God because one either did not know or did not care – that’s a tragedy!

Yes, bad, evil things happen in this world. They happen because this world is filled with sin: an attitude that says I will not allow God control of my life: I will live as I please in spite of God’s warnings. We live in a world where evil is rampant – and sin is considered normal and accepted.

When that sin gets out of control we are shocked – but sin is still sin.

Let’s take this as a reminder to always look for ways to share God’s love and His plan of salvation to those around us each day.  Then when tragedy strikes each of us will be prepared to face our Lord and not go into eternity totaly lost.

Dear Lord we pray for the families and friends of those one lost a loved one at the hands of the gun man today. We pray for a peace and a healing for each one. We pray that through this tragedy many will come to know You because if it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.