"....powers at work in Him (Jesus)...a soldier of the guard... went and beheaded him (John the Baptizer)" (Mark 6:14, 27)

     If Jesus had "powers at work in Him", then why didn't he use those powers to keep John the Baptizer from being killed by Herod?  Oh, but we can ask all kinds of similar questions:  why did God allow all the violence and murders of men, women, and children all down through history, including the history recorded in the Scriptures?  Why does God allow children to be harmed?  Why does God not stop so many people from being exploited, and killed by those who commit heinous crimes against all kinds of people?  Why doesn't he immediately answer my prayers for those who are ill or injured or grieving?

     It seems to contradict what we are told, that God is love and mercy and all-powerful!  So how do we answer these questions?
     
     Let's start by quoting Scripture:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways highter than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"  (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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     And so just as a young child doesn't know why a parent does all that they do, so we cannot begin to understand all of God's ways.

    Here's another way of answering these difficult questions.  God does not approve of all that happens, including in the accounts of Scripture.  He obviously allows it, but he certainly doesn't want anyone to sin or to harm others or themselves.  Yet God does have a plan that answers all the pain and grief that comes upon people and our world.  

    Jesus is God's plan for solving all the world's problems and violence and suffering and grief.  First, Jesus answers all our pain and suffering by walking with us through whatever we face in this life.  For He too suffered and died and faced all the sin and suffering and death that is in this world.  And most importantly, in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, we all are given eternal salvation!  Meaning we have comfort and hope in all that we face in life.

    I realize that that may not help you in the immediate situation that you find yourself in.  None of us wants to experience pain and suffering and death.  But may each of us draw comfort and hope in knowing that we are not alone.  Our Savior, and His Church will be with us through whatever we experience.  And there always will be a reason for hope, as we know that at the end of every tunnel is the smiling face and warm welcome of our Savior.  (In fact, He's with us right now and always).

God Bless,

Pastor Steve