Disaster

Disaster

Bible :Luke 13:1-5

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 (VV.4-5).

Reading

Some Christians can be quick to label things like terrorist attacks, murders, earthquakes, floods and other disasters as “acts of God” or “acts of judgement”. That’s not what the Bible teaches. In Luke 13, Jesus was asked about some people who were murdered, and about eighteen people who died when a tower collapsed on them. The crowd asking the questions were wondering if the people who died in those situations were worse sinners than others. Was that why they suffered and died in those terrible ways? “I tell you, no!” said Jesus, “But unless you repent, you will all
perish” (LUKE 13:3,5). Terrible things happen in our world. It’s no longer good and perfect, as God made it. It is damaged by human sin and selfishness. And so the bad, upsetting things that go on in our world are not necessarily signs of God’s anger or judgement. But Jesus’ explanation shows us there is a way to understand these things: they are warnings to us that we too might suffer and die at any time. So we need to make sure we are right with God through trusting Jesus, and looking to help others meet Jesus too. The bad things in our world are not good in themselves, but they can be a wake-up call to us to remember Jesus is our only security in this world. And they can also be good opportunities to tell others about the hope He gives.

WHEN THINGS LOOK BAD,
LISTEN TO GOD’S WAKE-UP CALL.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries