Syria in flames. Ebola creeping through countries with stealth. Bombers lighting up in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan the list goes on. And on. Our world of little peace seems far away while walking through perfumed, caroled halls of shoppers with ethereal white shrouding the world.
However when we read the news we can have a very similar view to those listening to Jesus in Chapter 13. A view that somehow those facing such devastating horrors must have done some greater sin. How false and faulty this view. We who should be damned stand free, redeemed and given the gift of life because of nothing in ourselves of greater merit.
We don't talk about this niggling thought in the back of our minds. This false theology that somehow we are superior but it sneaks out subtly in our response to their pain. Or our lack of response. When like the Pharisees we begin to believe that the horror a people are facing is what they deserve we fail to walk the way of the Narrow Door. We point a mental finger at those Galileans and the eighteen crushed under the tower in Siloam and forget we deserve death.
As we gather, shop, bake, party, sing carols off key or on, family flock about, and care for our own little spheres may we cultivate in our souls...... repentance. May we take time to listen to our Savior's voice and like little chickens flee to His arms for grace. And if our salvation is found in Him alone may we revel in His One True Gift of Salvation. The news is good, even for us, the bad!
However when we read the news we can have a very similar view to those listening to Jesus in Chapter 13. A view that somehow those facing such devastating horrors must have done some greater sin. How false and faulty this view. We who should be damned stand free, redeemed and given the gift of life because of nothing in ourselves of greater merit.
We don't talk about this niggling thought in the back of our minds. This false theology that somehow we are superior but it sneaks out subtly in our response to their pain. Or our lack of response. When like the Pharisees we begin to believe that the horror a people are facing is what they deserve we fail to walk the way of the Narrow Door. We point a mental finger at those Galileans and the eighteen crushed under the tower in Siloam and forget we deserve death.
As we gather, shop, bake, party, sing carols off key or on, family flock about, and care for our own little spheres may we cultivate in our souls...... repentance. May we take time to listen to our Savior's voice and like little chickens flee to His arms for grace. And if our salvation is found in Him alone may we revel in His One True Gift of Salvation. The news is good, even for us, the bad!
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