I awoke on Friday morning to the news of the devastating 8.9 quake in Japan.   I am certain that you will join me in praying for the survivors of this terrible tragedy.

When tragedy strikes it is natural to ask. "Why did this happen?  What did they do to deserve this?"  I have heard people say that this is one question they would like to ask God.   And they would like to hear His answer.

Well, God WAS asked this question before.   And He answered (through His Son Jesus).  The question...and the answer...can be found in Luke 13:1-5:
¹ Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
² Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?
³ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
⁴ Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?
⁵ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Jesus' answer isn't very satisfying, is it?  We want explanations for tragedies.   Jesus, however, wants us to focus on something more important.   This world is full of accidents, natural disasters and worse.  The most important question though, according to Jesus, is not "why do these things happen?" but, "will you be prepared when Death comes?"

That is a sobering question.   But it is one that must be answered.   We are told in the Bible that it is appointed unto man once to die and after that, to face Judgment.  Eternity is a long time.   To pass from this world into a place of eternal punishment would be a tragedy that nothing in this life could ever equal.  And, whereas tragedies in this life are often unavoidable, it is absolutely possible to escape Hell: provided that you take care of business NOW!

Jesus talked about the need to repent.  Other Scriptures tell us to be immersed for the forgiveness of our sins.   The most important thing of all, however, is to believe that Jesus' death on the cross paid the penalty for your sin. 

If you have not made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, do it now!

We don't want to witness the tragedy of losing you.

See you soon!
Bill