02 May My Two Cents
Many questions during this crisis comes from the deepest places of the heart.
They come because of personal experience with suffering of one form or another.
Is there a God? If so, does that God care about me, know me?
If so, why does God seemingly allow so much suffering?
You are asking this question because you believe there is a God.
In other words, you are a theist not an atheist.
The issue of suffering has caused many to doubt God.
Thereby coming to a conclusion that God cannot exist.
Biblical writers wrestled with these questions also.
Often providing an array of answers such as:
- Suffering resulted from sin.
- God causes suffering as a form of punishment.
- Suffering brings redemption.
Remember story Jesus caught terrible storm in Mark’s gospel.
Disciples first question: “Teacher do you not care that we are perishing “
Question sounds familiar in our crisis that humanity is also asking presently.
Jesus seems to ignores questioners.
Instead answers the wind and waves.
And He returns their question with a second question.
Why are you afraid?
Have you no faith?
Disciples response – Who then is this?
Disciples mindset was if Jesus is on the boat suffering will not arise.
But suffering does come.
That’s a question I have been hearing over the last eight weeks.
Jesus don’t you care we are perishing, why are you silent?
Faith has little to do with our doctrine and belief system.
“Faith has everything to do with seeing that… the Savior is on board.” [ Craig Barnes]
Jesus is surely here in the midst of our pandemic.
He is here for the fearful, doubtful and those without faith.
His presence boat tells us more about who he is.
He is neither removed from suffering, nor always preventing suffering.
Disciples last remarks: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him.”
No Comments