What have I done to deserve this?

When trouble or disaster strikes, sometimes we are tempted to ask, ‘What have I done to deserve this?’ The implication being that a higher power is punishing us.

On one occasion, some Jews brought to the attention of Jesus the fact that Pilate, the Roman Governor, had slaughtered a number of Galileans whilst they were undertaking their religious duties. Jesus in turn reminded them of the misfortune that occurred when a tower in the town of Siloam had collapsed and killed eighteen people. He then asked, ‘Do you think these people were more guilty than those who remained unscathed?’  Without waiting for an answer he said, ‘I tell you no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’

There is no denying that sometimes our troubles are the result of our own folly. Wrongdoing, however, is not necessarily balanced out by trouble in this life.

The mercy of God is great indeed, because he is not presently dealing with us as we really deserve, for that would mean utter ruin for each of us here and now.

God's mercy is such that when trouble comes, he is not necessarily meting out punishment. Rather he desires that trouble be transformed from an evil to a tool of blessing. How so? In that troubles ought to turn us towards God who longs to reveal his Father-heart to us. Trials and troubles may be viewed as stepping stones to a God with outstretched arms, not rocks designed to crush us from on high. It is the gracious and loving purpose of God not to condemn us but to free us.

For better or for worse, judgement and its consequences are the reality that will follow this life, but how marvelous is the Christian message, ‘turn and trust’ (repent and believe is the Bible’s terminology). The Good News is that when Jesus, who is God come to us as a man, died on the cross he took upon himself judgment, condemnation and punishment on the behalf of all who will trust in him.

God's delight

There are two books to which I’ll give imaginary covers and titles. The first has a black cover with the title ‘The Lawbreakers’. The second, called ‘God’s Delight’, has a white cover.

Opening the volume called The ‘Lawbreakers’ we see that it is full of people’s names; the one at the head of the first page is a man named Adam. All of the other names, of which there are very many, are Adam’s relations and yes, each one of them is a lawbreaker.

In the second volume, ‘God’s Delight’, we see that at the head of the first page is a man named Jesus Christ. He does not appear in the first volume because he’s the perfect law-keeper. Now we need to pause at this point…

Easter is the time when many remember the crucifixion of Jesus, followed by his resurrection from the dead. He was put to death by the law-breaking people because they wished to be rid of him. His perfect humanity and his unswerving commitment to do the will of God was too much of a challenge for many people, showing up as it did, their own shortcomings. They crucified him so that his light might no longer disturb their darkness.

Back to that first book with the black cover, each of our names has been written in it because we all have broken God’s laws. God deems that to be a capital offence; we are on death row. Now here’s the good News of Easter: when Jesus was executed upon the cross, he was taking to himself that death sentence on behalf of lawbreakers. Which lawbreakers in particular?

Jesus assures us that they are all the people who acknowledge that they have broken God’s good laws and had chosen to live in a way that kept God at a distance. Having U-turned, they are now looking to Jesus to forgive and bring them close in to God; they are trusting the fact that Jesus did die in order to put us right with God.  

Looking again at the second book - ‘God’s Delight’ - we see their names are now there with Jesus. The resurrected Jesus invites you to be one of them too. Why not be God’s delight?

Condemned in my place

Nearly 2000 years ago, the city of Jerusalem was hosting what was arguably its most important annual feast – the Passover. Simultaneously, the occupying power, in the form of governor Pontius Pilate, planned to execute three criminals. Two were guilty of robbery and the third, whose name was Barabbas, had committed insurrection and murder.        

Religious enthusiasm had been building up during the course of the previous week and a rabbi by the name of Jesus was causing consternation amongst the official Jewish leaders. It was becoming more and more apparent to the ordinary people that this teacher was more than simply an itinerant rabbi. His teaching, actions, indeed his very life were like a searchlight penetrating into the souls of men and women; like a fire that threatened to burn up all the dross of religious hypocrisy. His radical approach, which showed things as they really are, was often more welcomed by those who recognised their own neediness and didn’t have much to lose but was vehemently resisted by those who wanted to maintain the status quo. So it was, that the Jewish leaders used their clout to get Jesus put on trial as one who threatened the stability of the existing social order and might even cause rebellion against the Roman occupiers.

Now it had become the custom that at the time of Passover, the Roman governor would show clemency and release a condemned man. So determined were the religious leaders that they managed to get the governor to release Barabbas and replace him with Jesus.

The executions took place by crucifixion. The Bible tells us that one of those robbers, while hanging there, hurled insults at Jesus, ‘Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us.’ The other robber was contrite and confessed that he was getting his just desserts. Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And Jesus blessed him with complete assurance.

We too may choose to scoff and turn away from Jesus. Alternatively, we can turn towards him and acknowledge where we are at, then give him our heart’s trust. If we do the latter, we can anticipate assurance of God’s love. Then, similarly to Barabbas, we’ll go free from judgement as we discover that Jesus has suffered it in our place.