Tragedy is a wake-up call. We all become more aware of our own mortality - that could easily have been me. What is really important in my life?
Tragedy is a chance to reflect on how the things we think are permanent can change in a flash. The buildings and organisations that crumbled represent the things we often put our trust in - media, education, immigration (CTV Building), finance, sharemarket, real estate (Forsyth Barr Building, Pyne Gould Guiness Building) tourism (Hotel Grand Chancellor) religion (cathedral). The Bible speaks of a time coming when all those things that can shaken will be shaken. What are we trusting in ultimately?
In the midst of it our true quality is tested. Some prayed, some blasphemed. Like the structures shaken we see what foundation we have built our lives on. The materials we have built our lives from will become obvious. We will all face tests - the time to prepare is before the storms or earthquakes come.
What would Jesus say? In Luke 13 there is a story about a time when some came and reported to him about an atrocity commited against innocent people by Pilate the Governor. They wanted to know why these had been singled out for suffering. He says:“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 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? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." So it's not about a particular person's sin or goodness (who dies and who survives). Ultimately we will all face our end and the proper response is to seriously examine our priorities and attitudes and change our thinking and living where appropriate now.
Luke 13 also hints at what that repentance will look like - God's people Israel hadn't bought forth the fruit God had expected. Jesus tells a story about a fig tree that had failed to produce fruit being given one more chance, But failure seemed inevitable. National judgement was coming - the swords and falling buildings literally engulfed Jerusalem in AD70. So from tradegy there is an expected response of national re-examination and repentance. God sorts out his own household first. Those of us who claim to be Christians need to lead the way in this. I see this as seeking to be all that God has called us to as the church - not settling for pretty facades just because that's how it's always been. In Jesus' time most of the leadership in Israel were quick to point the finger of condemnation at the nations and individuals that were crossing their moral boundaries. But they had failed in their calling to bring blessing and reconciliation to a lost and hurting world. Jesus did the opposite. What should we do?
Where is God in the midst of tragedy? Is he the cosmic mad scientist pulling the levers and killing babies? No - he is the one who in Christ is with us in the midst of our suffering - who's sacrificial blood is mingled with ours and who is buried with us under the weight of sin not his own.
