February 20, 2006

Pain/Suffering

Isaiah 25: 1-9

He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people (Isaiah 25:8, NLT).

A newlywed couple, only married eight months, were on their way home after visiting some relatives. Both had been Christians since an early age and were now active in their church. There were most likely many prayers being offered for safety as a blizzard overtook their car. So, why didn't that truck see them before it was too late?

Why…?

Before he died, a man had been passed between a dozen different nursing homes. The professionals assigned to him couldn't handle him, and on more than one occasion, the man sustained bruises. The man was in the final stages of Alzheimer's. But he hadn't always been this way. He had in fact been a pastor for many years. Many people came to know the Lord through his ministry. But Alzheimer's took all that away and left a violent, helpless old man.

Why...?

There was another man who had a strong heart for God. Early on in life he began preaching and people came from distant towns just to hear him preach. When people heard him, they heard someone who spoke with authority and compassion. They heard someone who cared about them and gave them hope for a better life. The religious establishment didn't like what they were hearing, so they conspired to kill the man. Three years later, they succeeded.

Why...?

If you've ever been in one of these situations you know those trite little phrases like "God is still in control," do nothing to stop the hurt and even border on insult. If God is in control, then why? Why were the newlyweds suddenly killed? Why did the pastor lose everything including his dignity to a merciless disease? Why did Jesus have to die?

Jesus' story didn't end at the cross, though. Because He was able and willing to pay the penalty for sin, death couldn't hold on to Him. Out of a great tragedy, the greatest victory was achieved. Death has no power anymore. The Devil has done his worst and has been found defeated.

Though the man with Alzheimer's and the newlywed couple are now dead, their stories are still being written. Because they had placed their hope in Christ, not only do they live in heaven now, their choices and actions still echo on earth.