In today's message, we explored the profound question of why bad things happen to good people, a question that has puzzled humanity for centuries. We began by reflecting on the story of Rabbi Harold Kushner, who faced unimaginable pain when his son was diagnosed with a terminal illness. This personal tragedy led him to write "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," a book that resonates with many who grapple with the justice of God in the face of suffering.
We delved into the nature of justice, acknowledging that while God is the embodiment of justice, our human perception is often skewed by our brokenness. This brokenness can distort our understanding of justice, leading us to question God's fairness when we encounter suffering. We also discussed the philosophical and theological implications of suffering, referencing the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. Their disobedience introduced evil into the world, a consequence of humanity's desire to be like God without the capacity to handle divine responsibilities.
In John 16, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the inevitability of trials and sorrows, dispelling the myth that good people are exempt from suffering. Jesus Himself, the epitome of goodness, endured immense suffering, illustrating that trials are a part of the human experience. We explored the logical, eternal, and better outcome truths to understand suffering. Logically, the concept of "good" is subjective and varies across cultures and perspectives. Eternally, our earthly struggles are but a fleeting moment compared to the vastness of eternity. The better outcome truth reminds us that God can use our trials for a greater purpose, as seen in the story of Joseph, who rose from slavery to a position of power, ultimately saving many lives.
Finally, we are challenged to shift our focus from questioning why bad things happen to instead asking why God's people consistently show up in times of crisis. This shift in perspective calls us to action, to be agents of God's love and justice in a broken world.
