Hope this Sabbath evening finds you all well!

Tragedy in Southern California

Perhaps you saw the news of the mudslides in Southern California this week.  At the time of the writing of this letter, 17 had lost their lives in a series of flash floods in mudslides on Tuesday.  Several more are still missing.  People who were an important part of someone else's lives - gone in an instant.

It can happen in an instant

17 people, perhaps more, had their lives cut short prematurely.  Innocent of wrongdoing, they were victims of circumstances.  We know the Bible says 'time and chance' happen to us all (Ecclesiastes 9:11), so what is it we are to do?  Is there anything to keep it from happening?  The short answer is, no.  We can't stop time and chance from happening.  Sure, we can take precautions and be wise, but occasionally, something bad randomly happens and life is cut short.  What then should we do?

This question was answered by Jesus Christ after He received news of Pilate having a group of Galileans murdered while offering sacrifices at the temple.  It seems people began to assume 'they had it coming,' perhaps owing to some secret sin.  But notice Christ's response, Luke 13:4-5 (NKJV), "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

This was more than just a warning to those He was speaking to, that accidents can happen.  In John 8:23-24, Jesus emphasizes that when He spoke of death, He meant more than just our physical existence, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

Later, He makes the meaning crystal clear when speaking to Martha after Lazarus' death.  After confirming that she believed in the resurrection, Christ said to her in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

What we can avoid

None of us can avoid physical death.  What we can avoid though, is eternal death.  Christ says that even though we might die, we will live again.  Of course, this carries with it a responsibility:  We commit ourselves to truly repenting - changing how our mind thinks and how our heart feels.

Christ gave His audience something to consider most of them likely had never understood.  Death may come by time and chance.  Because of that, our commitment to Him through obedience to the law and softening of our hearts through ongoing repentance is a must.  By doing this, we can avoid death, no matter how long we live!