What does Jesus think?

For Christians, this is what we are concerned with.  What is God’s perspective?  Or better, “What is the message God is seeking to get across to us?”

Yesterday, when I first heard of the mass shooting in Orlando, I was horrified.  I listened to the response from people who chimed in with their perspectives. Much of it was good and reassuring.

Our president’s response did not surprise me.   In fact, as soon as he started to talk, I turned elsewhere because I know I would get the same old politically correct trash.  

There were two kinds of response people were giving based on their focus: First, from the perspective of the shooter, a response of anger.   An Islamic terrorist strikes again within our borders.

Second, from the perspective of the victims, a heart of compassion.   After all, it was at a gay establishment.  Whether you are gay or straight, no one should be helplessly murdered for their choice of orientation or beliefs. We may differ, but we move on with respect because all mankind is created in the image of God.   God will be the final judge.

After a while, I asked the Lord, “What do you think?” He reminded me of what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5:

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Here Jesus does something we often do not do ourselves. He places the focus on ourselves – the living!

Pilate had committed a horrible act of terror.  While the Galileans were offering their sacrifices to God, Pilate had them slaughtered too and made them into sacrifices as well.  Jesus said, “Are you thinking that perhaps those Galileans were worse offenders than everyone else?  If so, away with that thought.  But here is what you ought to be thinking when you hear of such a crime –‘Unless you repent from your sins, you will likewise perish.’”

Jesus did not place emphasis on the victims (the Galileans) or on the perpetrator (Pilate).  He put the application on those who were still alive: “Repent and get right with God because you do not know when it will be your time!”

Then Jesus gave another story concerning an incident that involved no perpetrator. A tower fell one day and killed eighteen people.  Jesus said, “What are your thoughts about this? Do you think those eighteen people were worse sinners than everyone else and that’s why they faced such a tragedy?  Away with that thought.”   Then Jesus makes the application that we often miss doing ourselves:  “Unless YOU repent, you will likewise perish.”

In other words, the message of Jesus concerning these unfortunate tragedies is this:  “Get right with God while you still are able to. You do not know if or when something similar or far worse may happen to you!”

The message in Orlando is not only about the victims, and not only about the shooter.  It is about you and me – the living.  How is your relationship with God?

Death will usher you into the presence of God one day – saved or unsaved. You have no control over the means of your death.  Orlando is God’s way of saying, “Will you be ready to meet your maker if such a similar outcome happens to you?”