One Reason Bad Things Happen

Luke 13:34-35a (NLT) - “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned.”

One of the biggest barriers for most people believing in God is the problem of evil. Sometimes this can be evil in general: “Why are there earthquakes? How could God have allowed the Holocaust and World War II?” More often, though, the objections are personal: “I prayed my grandma would not die when she was diagnosed with cancer, but she did anyway.” “I lost my job.” “If God was real and cared for me he would not have allowed my son to run away from home.” The list of all personal disappoints that keep people from Jesus would be quite long, but far too often he was not the one to blame.

Jesus’ words to the people of Jerusalem above give us a telling picture of his heart for all people. Note how he desired to protect the people of Jerusalem. He used a beautiful and unforgettable image of a loving mother hen protecting her chicks under her wing. He cares. He wants to help. He wants to protect, but he will not force his love and protection.

He told the city the reason they did not receive his help is that they would not allow him to help them: “You wouldn’t let me.” Receiving that help meant welcoming him as lord and master. Because they did not, Jesus told them, “You house is abandoned.” Less than forty years after uttering those words the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. How would history have been different if they had welcomed their savior?

When you face difficulties in your own life, do not be too quick to blame God. Have you welcomed his help on his terms? He is the Lord of the Universe not a stuffed toy to only bring out when you have a sniffle.