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 blame onto The Divine.  Theologians call it THE PROBLEM OF THEODICY.  That is, how could a good, just, loving and all-powerful God allow evil to exist and seemingly prevail in the lives of so many?

 I read an intriguing story that addresses this issue quite 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 are scattered on a vast plain before the throne of God.

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

 “How could God judge us?  What does he know about suffering?” snaps a young Albanian.  He removes 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 pulls a crumpled, tear-stained photograph from her pocket. “What about this?” she demands.  “This is my precious child.  I have not seen her since the day she was stolen away from us, for no crime, other than being black!”

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

 Across the terrestrial plain, there are hundreds of such groups.  Each holds a complaint against God for the evil and suffering He permitted in their world.  “How fortunate God is,” they collectively complain, “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 the horrible things we are forced to endure in this world?  God leads a totally sheltered life!”

 So each of these dissenting groups sends forth a leader, chosen because he or she had suffered the most.  A Holocaust survivor is 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 consult with each other.  And now they are ready to present their case before The Throne.  It all seems so logical and completely clever.

 They render their collective verdict and present 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 your 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 is angrily announced, loud murmurs of approval resound from the assembled throng.

 But suddenly there is total and complete silence.  No one dares to utter another word.  No one moves.  Suddenly, all are aware in their heart-of-hearts that God has already served His sentence.

 You see, Christ is our credible and compassionate High Priest, i.e. the One who is touched by the “feeling of our infirmities.” (Hebrew 4:15)  “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 logically and emotionally 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 YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!