Why?

WHY?

Luke 13: 1 – 9

Intro: How many questions can you think of that begin with “WHY”? 1) Why is the time of day when traffic moves the slowest called “rush hour”? 2) Why do we park our car in our “driveway”? 3) Why is the sky blue? 4) Why does our hair turn gray when we get older? 5) Why is freight moved by a boat called “CARgo”? 6) Why is freight moved on wheels called a “SHIPment”? 7) why are some things Pretty ugly? These are just a few.

I A question that comes to mind when I read this passage is “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

A I know of at least 2 books written on that very question: 1) by Mark Bristow and 2) Harold Kushner.

B Torah taught that obedience to the Torah brought blessings; but, disobedience brought a curse. (Job’s friends)

C At the time of Jesus, Jews and Greeks alike believed that if you suffered, it was because you deserved it.

II I would be willing to bet there are people sitting here this morning who believe that bad things happen when God is angry.

A Jesus knew people believed the tragic events mentioned in Verses 1, 2 and 4 were the result of some great sin.

B Does God cause bad things to happen to good people?

C Are natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, terrorist attacks or suicide bombers God’s punishment?

III When horrible things happen we continue to ask “WHY?” Why does the senseless violence continue?

A There are many among us who just cannot live without answers; even a simple answer is better than no answer.

B. Notice that Jesus does not answer their question. To ask why innocent Jews were slaughtered, to ask why innocent by-standers were crushed by a falling tower, to ask why terrorists continue to kill people --- all of these are the wrong questions.

C. It is not important that those surrounding Jesus know why. Neither is it important for us to know why. Knowing why changes nothing!

Concl: We would rather stand and wring our hands asking why? That accomplishes nothing! There is evil and suffering in the world. Bad things continue to happen to good people! The critical questions for us are: What now? Or How does this tragedy change me? Or How does our present suffering or pain change us and our world for the better?