Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
September 19, 2001 Henry Kong
When Senseless Tragedies Happen
For most of us, the tragedy was like something out of a James Bond movie. My family stayed at the World Trade Center when we were in NYC. We even took a ride up to the top for a view of that great city. It is very strange now to look at NYC skyline without the famous twin towers. The thing that numbed me most was not the graphic live videos but the recorded voices of the victims who were desperately calling their loved ones with their final message.
Although what happened is very far away, the extent of the destruction and the scope of it is such, that none of us can go back to business as usual. How do you respond to humanity’s inhumanity to mankind? How do you reconcile the reaction of people dancing and rejoicing in the streets of Palestine crying, “God is great!” at the grave evil that was done? When senseless tragedies happen what do we do?
1. The Bond of Brotherhood is Strengthened. As our eyes were glued to the TV on Tuesday night, I believe we all felt a common sense of outrage, that what happened is no longer regarded in isolation, but against every civilized human being. The Bible tells us that the early Christians were persecuted severely. There was no way that they could defend themselves, so they had to leave their homes, like refugees and were scattered everywhere. One of the causes of this senseless tragedy was a man called Saul. Acts 8. 3 says that he laid waste the church and carried out house-to-house searches. As many as he could uncover, were put into prison. But what was the result? Though they were scattered abroad, they were bound together by their faith, unity and determination to preach the word.
So it is at times such as this, that we have never before seen America as united as this, NATO as united as this and countries of the world with the exception of a handful, as united as this. Persecution has never hurt the church nor destroyed any cause; rather it has proven that it will strengthen the bond of brotherhood and, like gold tried by fire, become stronger than ever.
2. We are Driven to Prayer. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 6.1 that “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.” When the king died, Isaiah was mourning not only the loss of his king and his relative, but also the hope of Judea. I can guess what he must be thinking – “Uzziah had accomplished so much, brought us all back to God. He could have done more but because of his sin, God afflicted him with leprosy. It was such a senseless tragedy...”
In the midst of his grief, sense of loss and sorrow, the Bible introduces one of its great worship scenes. I put it to you, that faced with such a tragedy as the WTC event, we dare not take it upon ourselves to decide the next step, but wholly lean on the Lord for his perspective and direction.
My first response after the horrific tragedy sank in my mind, in this order, is to first pray for the victims, then the helpers who are trying to rescue and heal and following, for those in authority that they might do the right thing.
3. We Gain New Insights. Every time I think of the crucifixion of Jesus, I wonder how things could get so out of hand; how a crowd consisting of His fellowmen, who had seen Him do nothing but good, who had then hailed Him King in His triumphant entry to Jerusalem...could be so fickle that they could be manipulated by evil men disguised as religious leaders to cry for the release of Barabbas, a wrong doer, and then turn against Him, crying “crucify Him, crucify Him.” What a senseless tragedy this is, the day we murdered God’s only Son! Yet out of the grave, rose the resurrected Christ, and it is out of senseless tragedies like this we gain new insights.
Often, it is in times like these, that our eyes are open, when the important things in life stand out in stark contrast to the routine, so that it can no longer be ignored or sidestepped. What are some insights we can glean from the WTC tragedy? First, we learn of the vulnerability of human life; in one swift blow after another, at the heart of the greatest city in the modern world, thousands were lost. Second, we learn of the frailty of human endeavors. Who amongst us would believe if I told you on Monday, last week that the WTC twin towers will no longer stand? You would probably laugh me to scorn, and try as I may, at that time, I could not figure out how it would be possible either. Third, most of all, we reaffirm that God is in charge at all times, for without Him nothing makes sense. With Him there is hope, purpose and meaning.
HENRY KONG
Pasir Panjang Road Church of Christ
Singapore
