A Time for Figs

It’s a question that has been asked since Cain killed Abel and will likely be asked until the world is reborn to what God intended. The question is “Why?”  It is a question that keeps people from faith. “I cannot believe in a God who allows children to suffer.” It is a question that draws people to faith. “Where can I go when there is no reason why?” It can be answered with clear rationalism. “The prevailing wind currents and ocean temperature combined to create a storm of immense power that came ashore at 0900 hours.” It can be answered with utter anguish. “Why do the proud and haughty prevail and the faithful know only strife?”

It was a question in the mind and heart of the crowd that followed Jesus in the text we will be exploring the week at Seneca Presbyterian. Why else would they have repeated the latest news from Jerusalem? Some Galileans on pilgrimage were slaughtered by Pilate who then mixed their blood with their sacrifices. Jesus knew the question that was lingering in the air, and did not hesitate to ask it. “Do you think they were greater sinners?” He then answered his own question with a resounding “no.” Not once, but twice. That should have settled the matter forever. But still we ask.

• What did I do wrong to deserve cancer? What is God trying to tell me?
• Why did my child die? Is he paying a price for my failure?
• Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? By the way, that’s a real question asked by the disciples and directed to Jesus. Check out John chapter nine.
• When a nation falls – or twin towers – is God punishing its people for their unfaithfulness?

These are questions we struggled with as my faithful group of seekers gathered to ponder these words of Jesus. Most of us said no, we did not believe in a direct correlation between sin and suffering – nor goodness and blessing either. Life can be tough, and the question isn’t why but where. In the midst of our challenges, can God be found?

We were not as confident as we tried to understand what Jesus said next. “But unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” Jesus seems to contradict himself.  Was he irritated with the question? Was he preoccupied with what lay ahead of him on the road to Jerusalem? Was he wearing his prophet’s robe instead of his tender shepherd’s cloak? I think we find some clues in the Parable of the Fig Tree. I'll say more about that on Sunday!