Marilyn Monroe. Judy Garland. Elvis Presley. Princess Diana. Anna Nicole Smith.
Those names will, of course, ring a bell as famous, dead celebrities, though, Elvis is disputed. They all shone, in their way, little lights in this world, illuminating themselves and their occupations, and it was tragic when they died (as is any death). But their deaths have been taken by fans and turned into something more than they should have been, and have added another level to the allurement of those names. Is it possible that they weren’t in a way responsible for their deaths because of their sin, but were just… harmless victims? *Ponders*
You might see a pattern here. The force tempting some to alchemize these celeb’s dead bodies and turn them into superheros or demigods is strong.
As Christians we are fully aware of the mortality of man. At any given moment, you, I or a celebrity could be struck down by a foe, be it cancer or a maniacal young man with a gun. Your standing doesn’t matter when it comes to death. Or does it?
The shootings at Virginia Tech were horrible. It threw the whole nation, again, into mourning for souls that have now flown to either Heaven or Hell –God decides– but they left behind dozens of grief-stricken families. We can’t gloss over the tragedy, quickly saying, “Thy will be done, Amen.” That leaves the family in a darkened daze still wandering around, bumping into the walls of their sin. It’s obvious that these shock victims need a more powerful medication. What do we offer them?
Another question is, how do we get from “Thy will be done,” to “Deliver us from evil?” Ginormous gap; it’s going to let all sorts of unsound loaves of theology sneak past, that really need more time in the baker’s oven. Jesus gave us both verses, but taken out of context, they scorch the receiver and do not apply comfort.
Going back to the actual Lord’s prayer we find this: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Forgive us our sins? What sins did we commit to have this horror descend on us, like a cawing bird of doom from out the sky? Still, it remains, as does the other part, …As we forgive those who sin against us. I don’t believe that we need to forgive the killer at Virginia Tech, he’s dead, so that is impossible, but this is referring to those who are desiring and needing forgiveness. For more on this subject go here.
So, this need for forgiveness, what does it have to do with anything? Why apply it to Virginia Tech? Because one tragedy happened, and tragedies still do happen, doesn’t change the truth, that all of humanity needs their sins forgiven. You can’t ignore that fact either, when the whole world is searching for something to purge it of its sins; billions of dollars are spent on the solution every year by the rich and famous, poor and lowly. But narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. The ONLY forgiveness and comfort for us is found in the LIFE, DEATH and RESURRECTION of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hear that, O sinner!
When we fall into the hands of this living God I doubt we are going to bleat like sheep about what good people we are, and aren’t we fine chaps, won’t you please let us stay? I rather expect we will be flat on our faces, undone and crying for forgiveness. Our standing does matter when we die. The difference is whether or not we have accepted Christ as our one and only Savior.
I think that a psalm from David is in order now, who emphasized both God’s holy will in all of life, deliverance from evil AND his own need for forgiveness and salvation:
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.
Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!
Grace
Editor’s Note Don’t miss the links sprinkled throughout this post. They go to a few posts written by people much older and wiser than I.
