In recent video I watched a gentleman, addressed an issue and spoke about God.and asked this question. Where was God when these tragedies occurred? For example, the earthquake in Japan took many lives or tornadoes that ravage many towns, villages, and counties throughout the southern states. Hurricanes all along the East Coast where massive power outage were down for weeks many homes were leveled to ground. The wildfire in Colorado that that devastated 125-square forests in the southern part of Colorado. In which it lasted over two weeks. While elderly person was driving along Center Road you want Waterdown in a violent storm with high winds and raining like cats and dogs. A huge tree fell and landed on the person car and killed him instantly. A deadly shooting in a Aurora, Colorado movie theater. killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. Or Newtown, Connecticut shooting were 26 adult and children were slaughter In cold blood at Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School by 20 year old male. Skeptics throughout the century have asked the same old question where is God in these tragedies and why does He allow these catastrophe to occur ? To me a better question would be what’s worse sin or tragic events? What has God done about it? What does Scripture say about these tragedies? What has God done about sin issue? What is worse tragedies or sins ? I will show you in Scripture and history. That sin far worse of than all tragedies, massive shootings and horrible wars that took many innocent lives. And I show there was a God man who knew no sin and committed sin died on the cross so that we can have eternal life with Him. Another question to consider is earth our permanent dwelling place? Or should we store our treasures in heaven? If we believe in Jesus Christ! We will dwell there. Jesus DeClare Those That Died Unexpectedly were No Worst Off Than Those Who Were Still Alive From The Scriptures Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 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 ? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13; 1- 5 Unlike some other religious leaders who wrote off pain and suffering as just being illusions, Jesus was honest. He told us the truth. He said in “You will have suffering in this world.” He didn’t say you might – he said it is going to happen. Why Does God Allow Tragedy and Suffering? Lee Strobel Christian Apologist. Luke 13; 1- 5 Personal View Note in verse two of the 13th of Luke, were Galileans were blood was mixed with their sacrifice. Were they worse of because when they suffered this manner? According to Jesus He said no ! Verse three Jesus stated there are worst things in life and than tragedies. Jesus was addressing sin and to those who are alive must repent of their sins. If not, they also will perish, and suffer a worse fate, if they do not repent of their sins. Verse four addresses the 18 who died when the tower of Siloam fell upon them. Were they more guilty than those living in Jerusalem? Once more He no! Again He was addressing sin and how to deal with sin. Being not forgiven by God is the worst outcome, then the tragedies the Galileans endured and the 18 people who perished when the Siloam Tower fell upon them. Evwn than God is still sovereign even under tragic situations. God is Still In Amidst Disastrous Circumstance John 9;1-35 FromThe Scriptures 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world have But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16; 33 English Standard Version} The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 63; 1- 3 ESV Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass Matthew 24; 35 ESV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46; 1-3 ESV Personal Observance As horrifying natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, famines or massive shooting sprees and wars for example, Aurora theater in Colorado and Newton’s Hook Elementary School these tragedies took many lives and affected these communities. Nevertheless,there are worst things tragedies. Failing to See God When A Healing Occurred & Very Evident From The Scriptures As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” John 1-11 NIV 18  Some of the Jews suspected the whole situation was a charade, that this man was never blind. So they summoned the man’s parents to testify about his condition. John 9;18 The Voice He smeared mud on my eyes, and I washed; now I see. We can tell you this much: he is our son, and he was born blind. 21 But his new sight is a complete mystery to us! We do not know the man who opened his eyes. Why don’t you ask our son? He is old enough to speak for himself. John 9;15 b, 28-29 The Voice 28  You’re one of His followers, but we follow Moses. 29 We have confidence that God spoke to Moses, but this man you speak of is a mystery; we don’t even know where He comes from. 34 You were born under a cloud of sin. How can you, of all people, lecture us? The religious leaders banished him from their presence. 35 Jesus heard what had happened and sought out the man., John 9; 28- 29 ;;34-35 The Voice 30 Isn’t it ironic that you, our religious leaders, don’t even know where He comes from; yet He gave me sight! 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does respond and work through those who worship Him and do His will. 32 No one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of any person blind from birth. 33 This man must come from God; otherwise, this miracle would not be possible. Only God can do such things. John 9; 30 -33 The Voice Personal Observances Let us examine the story, the beggar who was born blind. The disciples asked Jesus who sin the parents or the man. Jesus said neither this man nor the parents sinned. This event a occurred so God‘s glory would be displayed. Jesus proceeded to put mud around the beggars eyes and told him, to wash them in the pool of Siloam meaning to sent. Then he washed his eyes and he was instantly healed and had perfect sight. Some of the people in Jerusalem had mixed reactions. Some claim he looks like the beggar while others it was not him. The beggar said that he was and the people brought him to the Pharisees. They examined him and asked him, if he was the man born blind he said yes. Some of the Pharisees did not believe him nonetheless, they brought his parents in. And asks the parents, Is this your son? They said yes. Despite the testimony of the man and his parents that man was born blind. The Pharisees thought Jesus did not come from God because He healed him on the Sabbath and violated one of their Sabbath rules. And ask the man what he thought he, declared that he was a prophet. The Pharisees insulted him. That he was not from God. The beggar declared one of the most profound statements and and echoed these words, “that he never heard any man heal anyone who was born blind and performed this miracle. This man declared that this man is from God because God does not listen to sinners.“ The Pharisees were livid and banish this man from the Temple. Because the Pharisees preferred to be honored and failed to see that God’s hand was in this situation. The they heard testimony from the parents and the man born blind, and that he was healed and now he can see, should have been good enough. Nevertheless, there was many miracles performed prior and after this event occurred. In which the Pharisees heard about. However,they were more concerned about their honor, prestiges, andman-made traditions. Then the miracles and healing that took place, that set the people from bondage and that’s the tragedy of the story. Well the man born blind was afflicted with physically blindness, he had spiritual insight because of the insight he gave me to the Pharisees. The Pharisees had physical sight but lacked the spiritual insight as he uttered these word to the Pharisees”  Isn’t it ironic that you, our religious leaders, don’t even know where He comes from; yet He gave me sight! We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does respond and work through those who worship Him and do His will.  No one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of any person blind from birth. This man must come from God; otherwise, this miracle would not be possible. Only God can do such things.“ Where did this man get such insight? If he did not have any formal training in school. Only God could have revealed this to him. Let us look at the Pharisees who were who were the scholar of that day. Yet in spite of all there education they lack spiritual insight. By tossing beggar from the Temple, because the beggar declared that Jesus came from God. When you declare Jesus as Lord sometimes is a cost to this, the beggar is the classic this. When the Shepherd heard about this news He came alongside and comfort him and told him that he was the Messiah meaning expected deliverer or someone’s who redeems them from their sins. Despite all the Healing Miracles and Casting Out Demons They Still Not Believe Him & Wanted to Kill Him From The Scriptures  Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish council. 2 He came to Yeshua one night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him. John 3; 1-3 Name Of God Bible But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. Some Believe in Jesus Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12; 37 – 43 Webster Bible Translation From Several Commentaries John paused at this time to express amazement that although the Lord Jesus had done so many mighty signs, yet the people did not believe in Him. As we have mentioned before, their unbelief was not caused by any lack of evidence. The Lord had given the most convincing proofs of His deity, but the people did not want to believe. They wanted a king to rule over them, but they did not want to repent. Believer bible commentary. The number of them; they were many,—various and of divers kinds; numerous and often repeated; and every new miracle confirmed the reality of all that went before. The multitude of his miracles was not only a proof of his unexhausted power, but gave the greater opportunity to examine them; and, if there had been a cheat in them, it was morally impossible but that in some or other of them it would have been discovered; and, being all miracles of mercy, the more there were the more good was done. The notoriety of them. He wrought these miracles before them, not at a distance, not in a corner, but before many witnesses, appearing to their own eyes. Matthew Henry Commentary From The Scritures What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” John 11 : 48 NASV From Several Commentaries Of a most obstinate infidelity, refusing to yield to the most powerful means of conviction; and it is hard to imagine how they could evade the force of this evidence, but that the god of this world had blinded their minds. Matthew Henry Commentary They admitted that the Lord Jesus was performing many signs. Why then did they not believe on Him? They did not want to believe because they preferred their sins to the Savior. Believer Commentary His is a marvellous admission. Even our Lord’s worst enemies confess that our Lord did miracles, and many miracles. Can we doubt that they would have denied the truth of His miracles, if they could? But they do not seem to have attempted it. They were too many, too public, and too thoroughly witnessed for them to dare to deny them JC Ryle Bible Study The Pharisees were Concern about Position Authority Not Repenting Their Sins Nor Redeeming the People Theirs Sins Place refers either to Jerusalem or to the temple. The real concern of the Jewish leaders is seen here. They were not as upset at Jesus’ supposed blasphemy as they were about losing their positions of authority. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary Personal Observance Despite the overwhelming evidence and eyewitness accounts, the Pharisees ignore these reports, nonetheless, they could not dispute them. when He performed many miraculous signs and wonders Throughout Galilee and andJudea regions. While the Pharisees accused Jesus of many things, such as, being possessed by a demon, nevertheless, they could not dispute Jesus healing of the sick, performing miracles, and, casting out demons; for example, a the beggar born blind and parents testified that he was born blind. Some of the Pharisees believed that Jesus came from God, nonetheless they were more concerned about the honor and adulation then repenting of their sins declaring Jesus as Lord. There were more concerned about the Roman taking their place of their honor and authority. In reddeming themselves and people of their sins. They were more concerned about what men thought of them Instead of being concerned about God‘s wishes. It was not the signs and wonders that Jesus performed and when they were planning Jesus executions that was not the tragedy . Is when they rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Despite there was overwhelming evidence He was innocent and committed no sin. Desite all of this the Pharisees convince the crowd to crucify Jesus. Pontius Pilate had no choice but to crucify, even though could any fault was Jesus. They failed to see the important of the cross and how they would been redeemed of their sins. And this WO very instrument God used to united all the nations together. Hence saying“ One Nation’s Under God “ Perhaps the apostle Paul was correct in stating these words, ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing’ or when he echoed these words “ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” To me the tragic in anyone’s life, if they do that accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and not accept the foolishness of the cross. Another Scripture 49 One of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, told them, “You people don’t know anything. 50 You haven’t even considered this: It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”51 Caiaphas didn’t say this on his own. As chief priest that year, he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the Jewish nation. 52 He prophesied that Yeshua wouldn’t die merely for this nation, but that Yeshua would die to bring God’s scattered children together and make them one.53 From that day on, the Jewish council planned to kill Yeshua. 54 So Yeshua no longer walked openly among the Jews. John 11; 49- 54 Name Of God Bible The Plain Gospel 49 One of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, told them, “You people don’t know anything. 50 You haven’t even considered this: It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”51 Caiaphas didn’t say this on his own. As chief priest that year, he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the Jewish nation. 52 He prophesied that Yeshua wouldn’t die merely for this nation, but that Yeshua would die to bring God’s scattered children together and make them one.53 From that day on, the Jewish council planned to kill Yeshua. 54 So Yeshua no longer walked openly among the Jews. John 11; 49- 53 3 Yeshua replied to Nicodemus, “I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” John 3; 3 Jesus declared these words to Nicodemus :unless you are born again you cannot see heaven“ Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit. Another Scripture echo these which words you cannot say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the key to leading people to Christ and presenting the gospel to the lost. Jesus who knew no sin became sin and when we believe and repent and died on the cross for our sins. We will inherit Jesus Christ righteousness and will be declared righteous before His Father. This was Jesus purpose of coming descending from heaven to earth, to bridge the gap between His Father. Ours sins separate us from the Father in heaven. Because He is holy and hates sins. We needed a substitute to take our place. If we repent and confess and believe in our hearts that he died for our sins, we will have eternal life with him. To do in the Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, was unaware that he prophesied behalf of God that someone had to be sacrificed namely Jesus so all the Jewish nation would be saved and those abroad will be brought back together and become one nations under God. Caiaphas real motive was executed Jesus and had little interest in the Jewish people nor abroad. He was unaware of the importance of Jesus Christ redeeming works and that was really sad! Too many people focus on the tragic events of the day, instead of being concerned about their future. That their sins keeps them separate from God, and this is the tragedy or sad! Tragedies such as natural disasters, wars, massacres, brutal slayings has occurred throughout history and continue to occur until Christ comes back. The curse of sin Is the cause and effect natural disasters, men and women violating the ordinance of God. However there will be another age when mankind and creations will no longer goan, because what Jesus Christ did on the cross. 8 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, [i]in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8;18 -25 NASB Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the [king. 1Peter 2; 11, 16- 17 NASB Most of the rest of 1 Peter concerns the conduct that should characterize the Christian in the various relationships of life. Peter reminds believers that they are sojourners and pilgrims in the world and that this fact should leave its stamp on all their behavior. They are sojourners in the sense that they are living in a foreign country where they do not have the rights of citizens. They are pilgrims in the sense that they are obliged to live for a while in a place which is not their permanent home. Believer Commentaries 1 Peter 2; 11_12 Called from above, and heavenly men by birth (Who once were but the citizens of earth), As pilgrims here, we seek a heav’nly home, Our portion in the ages yet to come. We are but strangers here, we do not crave A home on earth, which gave Thee but a grave: Thy cross has severed ties which bound us here, Thyself our treasure in a brighter sphere. A Hyman written By James G. Deck 1802 to 1884 Well strangers and aliens here on earth and just passing through, nonetheless we have an obligation and responsibility to be responsible citizens until we reach our permanent dwelling place in heaven.