WHAT IF GOD WAS ONE OF US?

WHAT IF GOD WAS ONE OF US?

All too often, we complain without justification.  In our attempt to come to grips with our situations-in-life, there is a human tendency to project human blame on The Divine.  Theologians call it THE PROBLEM OF THEODICY.  That is, how could a good, just and loving God allow evil to exist and prevail in the lives of so many?

The other day, I read an intriguing story that addresses this issue so well.  Although it’s not scripturally accurate, its application is substantially sound.  It goes something like this…

At the end of time, billions of people were scattered on a vast plain before the throne of God.

Most of them shrank back from the brilliant light before them.  But some of the groups were talking among themselves – rather heatedly.  They were not cringing with shame, but bristling with belligerence.

“How could God judge us?  What can he know about suffering?” snapped a young Albanian.  He removed his shirt to reveal a bullet-scarred back.  “In Kosovo, we had to endure sheer terror…shootings…unspeakable torture!”

In another group, an aged aboriginal woman pulled a crumpled, tear-stained photograph from her pocket.  “What about this?” she demanded.  “This is my precious child.  I have not seen her since the day she was stolen away from us, for no crime but being black!”

In yet another crowd, a pregnant schoolgirl stood with very sad and sullen eyes.  “Why should I suffer,” she cried out, “It wasn’t my fault.”

Across the terrestrial plain, there were hundreds of such groups.  Each had a complaint against God for the evil and suffering He had permitted in their world.  “How fortunate God is,” they collectively complained, “to live in a Heaven where all is sweetness and light, where there is no weeping or fear, no hunger or hatred.  What does God know about all the horrible things we have been forced to endure in this world?  God leads a totally sheltered life!”

So each of these dissenting groups sent forth their leader, chosen because he or she had suffered the most.  A Holocaust survivor was chosen, along with a scarred survivor of Hiroshima, a terribly deformed arthritic, a thalidomide child, a victim of terrible racism, a man whose wife had been murdered by a drug addict, etc.  In the center of the plain, they consulted with each other.  Now they were ready to present their case before The Throne.  It all seemed so logical and completely clever.

They rendered their collective verdict and presented it to God.  “Before you can be qualified to be our judge, you must endure what we have endured.  You will be sentenced to live on earth – as a man!

You must be born into a hated race.  The legitimacy of your birth must be doubted.  You must be given a task so difficult that even your family will think you are out of his mind when you try to do it.  You must be abandoned and betrayed by your closest friends.  You must face bigotry and false charges, then you must be tried by a prejudiced jury and convicted by a cowardly judge.

After all that, you must be tortured.  You must experience what it means to be terribly alone. Then you must die, knowing full well that you are innocent but appearing to be guilty to all those around you.

As God’s sentence was angrily announced, loud murmurs of approval went up from the throng of people assembled.

But suddenly there was total and complete silence.  No one dared utter another word.  No one moved.  Suddenly, all were aware in their heart-of-hearts that God had already served His sentence.

And that’s why Jesus Christ is our High Priest, the One who is touched by the “feeling of our infirmities.” (Hebrew 4:15)  Because “Emmanuel, God with us,” has already come to us “in the likeness of sinful flesh.”  He was already “wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him…and with his stripes we are healed.” (Romans 8:3 – Matthew 1:23 – Isaiah 53:5)  And now we are sons and daughters of the King of Kings!

Small wonder that Governor Pilate was moved to declare, “I find no fault in him.” (John 19:4)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!