Saturday, March 12, 2016
Luke 13:1-3 There were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
GOD IS NO CROOK
The misguided thinking Jesus was seeking to correct here was this notion: When things are going well in my life, God is rewarding me for good I've done. If something bad happens He is punishing me for doing wrong. It's a common idea in our day, too. Even we Christians may be tempted to think along those lines.
Once there was an elderly church member lying sick in the hospital. One day his pastor stopped by for a visit. In the course of his visit the man expressed a concern weighing heavily on his heart: "Pastor, do you think God caused this illness to happen to me as a punishment for my sins?" The clergyman thought carefully for a moment and then responded with a question of his own: "What do you call someone who tries to collect twice for the same debt?" The suffering man answered: "I'd call him a crook. Only a crook would try to collect double for the same bill." The pastor said: "Well, my dear friend, God is no crook! He charged Jesus for our sins on the cross and accepted in full His Son’s payment. Jesus said: 'It is finished.' How could God now punish us for our sins again?"
It's true in the Bible we read that God sent judgments on people for their wickedness (e.g. the Great Flood in the days of Noah, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire and brimstone in the days of Abraham). Still today He may choose to send judgments upon sin. But when painful things occur in the lives of believers they are loving reminders our Father is giving of the need to repent of our sins and trust His Son for forgiveness.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation, Great and free.
I am trusting Thee for cleansing In the crimson flood;
Trusting Thee to make me holy By Thy blood.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall.
I am trusting Thee forever And for all.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 428:1, 3, 5)
