To Fear or Not to Fear

To fear or not to fear… What are you afraid of? What makes your knee weak with fear? What shakes your composure and keeps you awake at night? Is it fear of sickness? fear of loneliness? fear of loss? fear of death? fear of rejection? fear of financial insecurities? fear of the unknown?

Psalm 112 tells the secret to a life of no fear. Fear the Lord and have no fear. The Christian life is not a pure smooth path of roses. It is not all sunshine. There will be darkness v.4 but even in darkness, light dawns for the upright -for the gracious, compassionate and righteous – these are the characteristics of those who fear the Lord. v. 6 tells us the righteous will never be shaken – they will stood firm and have no fear of BAD NEWS because their hearts are steadfast, trusting the Lord. v.7 This implies that there is bad news BUT we will have no fear even when things are bad.

Sometimes we are tossed and turned by waves of fears. It is so difficult to be steadfast – to be steady, to be secure and to ‘not be shaken’ and have no fear of the darkness, the bad news of life. What to fear? or rather Who to fear? Fear the Lord – not the kind of being afraid – but the kind of obedience – finding great delight in his commands! Turn your fear of the dark into steadfast unshakeable security by fearing the Lord of light. Even in darkness, light dawns. Even with bad news, there is no fear!

Psalm 112
1 Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

#fearless #FearOfTheLord #wisdom #readthebible

Danny’s Flashlight

Light of the world, a lamp in the dark, a city set on a hill.. These words remind me of my friend, Danny. When? When he was fighting and dying of cancer… How? Let me share an excerpt of the eulogy I wrote for him some 10 months ago.

On 4/9, Danny said: I’m stable but in pain. feels like a dog w/ sharp teeth biting my right chest n wont let go. I’m surviving thru much prayers esp at night I cant lie down. God is good. He makes me sleep when I’m exhausted. I’m truly thankful for that.

From 5/25-27: Scan results out, no good. He said: God knows what’s next. Don’t worry. I’m totally at peace. Pray for less pain. I don’t want my family to be affected when I whine or cry in pain. Thanks. I cannot explain the peace that I feel now.
“it’s not as bad as it sounds. God is good no matter how this progresses. I’m totally at peace. No worries. Thank you for prayers.”
“Let’s hope the med works. God is good. I’m not a bit worried.”

8/25, “I’m not afraid to go. I just ask God for another chance to share w others how good He’s been to me.”

Danny’s words testified that in all things (good n bad) God is good. He loved God and was devoted to Him amidst hardship. He loved people. He was dying and still thinking of God and neighbor. He wanted to donate whatever useful organs he’s got left. He asked for more time even in great pain to tell his stories.

Danny taught me lessons on dying bravely and living brightly even in the deep dark pit of pain. God enabled him to be a light shining in the valley of the shadow of death.

God took him first even though he was the youngest in our barkada. He was strongest when he was weakest because God’s grace was sufficient. Danny shone brightest when it was darkest because God was his light. Today, his voice resonates loudly because God’s Word was the only voice he heard and held on to. His life mirrored his Savior and Lord Jesus.

Today, Danny still speaks to me. Yesterday, his wife told me Danny gave me permission to share his stories whenever possible so people will know his God of grace. I miss Danny often especially when I have questions about the Bible, about things to write, ideas to share. He was a deep thinker, great teacher and fine writer. He’s witty, funny, silly, naughty and many more. Most of all, he’s my friend who loved me and whom I loved dearly. Tears falling as I write these words.

Around 1am today, I woke and could not get back to sleep. I watched some video clips on FB and chanced upon the Red Table Talk of Jada Pinkett Smith with the parents of Ms. USA who committed suicide earlier this year. Near the end of the talk, Jada shared her grief story about losing a dear friend. My takeaway from her lesson: Memories of our loved ones who passed on may fade. One sure thing remains: love.

How true the words from the Bible:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Seize the Day

“Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone, young or old. Today could be the last time to see your loved ones, which is why you mustn’t wait; do it today, in case tomorrow never arrives. I am sure you will be sorry you wasted the opportunity today to give a smile, a hug, a kiss, and that you were too busy to grant them their last wish.” ~ Garcia Marquez

May 29 was the last Sunday of May in 2016. It was also the last time I talked and prayed with my mother. That morning, I went to visit her before going to church. She was lying in bed and very sick. She was weak and could not talk much. My heart was heavy and sad as I knelt by her bed to pray with her.

The next day I flew out of town as Andrew’s aunt and cousin from China were visiting. May 30 was also my last night at Boracay – have not been back, don’t know if I ever would again.

Past midnight, in the wee hours of May 31, when my phone rang, I knew the time had come when I heard my sister’s voice on the phone. That day I flew back to Manila alone. That plane ride seemed to be a long lonely sad one. Did I cry, maybe yes, maybe not? I felt numb and sad at the same time.

Remembering that day is hard for me even now. I miss my mom. How I wish ma and pa were present to celebrate Hannah’s ‘on-hold’ wedding (supposedly 5/24/20 but did not happen).

I was supposedly to be the mother of the bride. It was supposed to be a lifetime celebration – an important milestone in the life of our family. I have hold off writing or pondering on how I felt or thought since our family accepted the fact that the wedding was not going to happen that day.

Few days before that, I wrote about being resilient and gritty in a crisis. I guess that is what our family is doing together – being resilient (being pliable in the Master Potter’s hand) and gritty (holding tight and not giving up).

You are the Potter, we are the clay. Isaiah 64:8

To be resilient is to spring back to form after a hard knockdown. To get up and move forward. To be gritty is to move forward steadily bravely into the unknown future.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone. But today is the present – the gift that the Giver of life extends to each of us – to you and to me.

I don’t know about tomorrow. Today, I can only live life the best I can by the grace and mercy of my God. I don’t know about tomorrow but I know who holds my hand.

I pray that you do too, my friend. Know the God who holds tomorrow. Trust the Potter who created you in His image.

Of Last Will & Testament… Of Memories & Legacies

Have you ever wondered about the end of your life? How? Where? When? Or would you rather not think about it? Death is a reality of life. Christians need not fear death because we know what happens after we die. I am not afraid of death, I just hope that it would not be too painful to bear. I wonder how my final days will be.

There once was a Biblical hero who knew how, where, when he would die, doing all that God told him to do before he died.

Deuteronomy 30-34 recorded all that Moses did in his final days. It was like his last will and testament.

1) Moses’ will: He charged the people to remember God’s word – obey and be blessed, rebel and be cursed. (ch. 30)

2) Moses’ legacy: He passed on the baton. He told the people that Joshua would take his place and lead them into the promise land.  He encouraged Joshua. (31:1-8)

3) Moses’ testament: He wrote down the law as God instructed. He read the written law to the Israelites to warn them to carefully obey God. (31:9-18)

4) Moses’ song: (31:19-22) God’s words for the song were vv.20-21 expanded into chapter 32 as Moses’ song. The song is their life (32:47). The song is written so they will know who God is, what He did for them, and remember to obey Him.

5) Moses’ benediction: he blessed each of the tribes of Israel. (ch. 33)

Moses’ last conversation with God: (32:48-52)
On that same day the Lord told Moses, “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”

No regrets… no further plea to enter the promise land. He already did that in Deut. 3:23-28.

Moses’ final moments: (ch. 34)
1) His last journey: He climbed Mount Nebo. v.1
2) His last vision: He saw the whole promise land. v.2-3
3) His last call: He heard God’s final words. v.4
4) His death: He died in Moab. v.5
5) His burial: God buried him. v. 6
6) His physical condition: at 120, he could see clearly, he was strong. He climbed Mount Nebo to see the whole land God promised to give His people. v. 7
7) His wake: The Israelites mourned 30 days for him. v. 8
8) His successor: Joshua was filled with spirit of wisdom because Moses laid his hands on him. The people listened to Joshua and obeyed what God commanded Moses. v. 9

Moses’ epitaph: vv. 10-12
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

What a life! 

To ponder:
I do not know when my last days will be. When that day comes, what will be said of my life? Will there be a song? Will there be a blessing? Will there be a legacy? Will there be sadness? Will there be a celebration? Will there be a memory of God’s goodness and faithfulness?

I am not Moses nor I need to be. I might not be able to do such great signs and wonders as Moses or show such mighty power or perform awesome deeds as he did. But at the end of the journey, will it be said that I am one whom the Lord knew face to face? Or rather, will I be able to pass on with certainty that I knew the Lord face to face?

New Year Day musings on Numbers and years

New year’s day Musings on Numbers and Years…

Of numbers in an epitaph… Epitaph is a phrase or statement written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone.

It’s been said it’s not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts. In the account of Genesis 4 & 5. There are many names listed in these passages; and each one had a number attached to his name. How long he lived. It was recorded how old each was when he first became a father, the name of the first born, then how long he lived to have other sons and daughters. The last fact being, how old he was when he died.

Of all the names listed, Methuselah had the highest at 969 and guess who had the lowest at 365? Enoch. In Genesis 5 (NRSV), 4 short verses recorded the life of Enoch. These are the facts of his life:

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Interesting facts about Enoch:
1) He had the shortest days but he was the father of one who lived the longest.
2) At 65, he was one of two youngest fathers – the other one was Mahalalel.
3) He was the only one described with walking faithfully with God. and how old was he? He was already 65 years old.
4) He was the only one whose biography did not end with ‘Then he died.’ It ended with “He was no more.”
5) And his was the only end with an explanation. He was no more ‘because’ God took him away.
Where did the others go? How did they die? Didn’t God also take them away?

More observations with corresponding questions to ponder:
1) Enoch walked with God 300 years. He started when he became a father.
Q1: He was 65 when he started walking with God. How old does one have to be before starting to walk faithfully with God? How was he doing before 65? Why 65? Something to do with the gift of a child maybe? Bottom line: It is never too late to start walking with God.

2) Two times in his whole biography of 4 verses, Enoch was described as walking faithfully with God.
Q2: If a very short biography of 4 sentences were to describe my life, would there be any faithfully walking with God in them? How faithful?

3) At 365 years when others lived at least twice as much, Enoch lived the shortest.
Q3: Is life just a number? How long is long? How short is short? Bottom line: how much of the whole was spent walking with God?

4) To be no more (NIV & NRSV), that was Enoch’s end. No more on earth. In NASB: he was not. In other words, he stopped being. He was not found. What happens when a person is no more? Will people try to find him? Or would they not care any less? That he was not found implies that people looked for him. He was missed.

5) Because – this is a big word for life and living. Because God took him away.
Q5: When I am no more, what would be the reason? Is it because God’s purpose for my life has been done? Is there still something hanging in the air?

Final Question: In this moment of my being, I am Marlene – still existing. Just existing? What am I doing? What is the reason? Who is the reason? When I am no more, would it be ‘because God took me away?’ Because I walked faithfully with Him? Faithful enough for God to take me away?

Today is a new day. Let me start today – walk faithfully with God. So help me God.

New Year’s Eve Musings: Inventory-Taking

So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

How does God love me? Let me count the ways. What? Concrete and abstract. How? While I can count the concrete, I can only ‘number’ the abstract. To number is to put a value to the things counted.

Time: chronos and kyros. Chronos time equals seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years. Kyros is about significant events caught in time.

Today, I live for certain number of chronos time. On my first day, God saved my mom from a life-threatening delivery. More gracious moments between then and now: graduations, first job, wedding day, the day I miscarried Gabriel; birth of my 3 children; mom’s kidney transplant; the day I learned of my cancer; treatments; depression, menopause, mom died, dad dying, marital conflicts, relationship breakdowns, reconciliations, anxiety, healing, ups and downs on this journey called life.

Many things and people in life are worth counting and numbering. But oftentimes, it is the immeasurable that is most precious. How do I measure the amount of air in each breath that I take? Covid tells me how precious that is! When I look up the clear sky, can I count the clouds or the stars reminding me of the Creator?

I also learned that ‘less’ is often more. The less time, the more precious the moment. The less space, the more important the usage. The less resources, the more valuable the efficient management thereof.

Clothes, cars, money can be counted. At any one time especially in such a time as this, I do not need to wear all of the clothes in the closet nor can I eat all the food in the ref, nor do I need to ride in all the cars to go to the place I need or want to be. I only need enough cloth to keep me warm and covered. I only need some food to be full. I only need a space enough to lay my head and body on to sleep. Even when/if I do not have a car, I have two feet to walk.

More than counting, I need to put a ‘number’ to each gift that an infinite Creator bestows on His finite creature like me. The past year, how many times did God forgive me of impatience, complaints, pride, laziness, indulgence, vanity, selfishness? How can I measure God’s mercy? Do I treasure God’s grace? Can I number the love of family, the companionship and encouragement of friends and mentors? I think, remember, share with others God’s gifts, tell of His great love, grace and mercy.

Counting and numbering: not just today but every day – with each breath that I take, let me count, let me remember and number, let me measure and treasure.

Remembering Moments of Grace; Thankful to the God of Grace

A journal of thanksgiving for moments of grace written the day after I was discharged from the hospital for my ankle surgery.

About 8 weeks prior to this day, my mom had just passed away. My dad was grieving and deteriorating quickly – unable to eat properly. I broke my ankle because I was groggy from taking sleep aids for my sleep problem. I was often anxious, sad and grieving.. 3-in-1 the combi state of of mind for a mental/emotional breakdown.. Amidst these scenarios, here’s what I wrote:

Ma,
You’re in heaven still praying for me. Please help me to be brave and learn the lessons the Lord wants me to learn.

July 22, 2016
9:02pm
I used to take for granted the freedom to go to the toilet and pee anytime I need to. I could go to poop whether little urge or not.. no harm to try. Now it’s so much effort – I need to learn patience to wait and wait and wait so as not to waste the effort – the exertion of moving from bed to wheelchair, from wheelchair to the toilet seat; not to waste waking/interrupting the sleep of Abi, not to put her effort of helping me transfer from seat to seat, to push me to the toilet, to hold my leg up, to prop it on the stool..
I thank you Lord for my family. Andrew keeps telling me how much he loves me, holding my hair, kissing me on the forehead, holding my hand, hugging me.

Thank you for Han who helps me take my bath, prepares my clothes, my toiletries, help bring me to the chair in the shower, put on the plastic bag to cover my leg – carefully taping the masking tape to seal the hole, getting behind me to get the water in the right temperature, the right volume so as not to splash all over the floor outside the shower cubicle, for washing my hair, rinsing it, soaping my back, rinsing it, for helping me stand and wiping my behind, for helping me put on my underwear, my clothes, for getting herself wet and help me finish my bath before taking her own. Even Abigail did the same – and they don’t mind that they get wet again even after they had already taken their bath.

Thankful that Han and Abs wake so quick at the slightest call. Thank you Lord that you gave Han the strength to go to work when needed, and to take leave just to help take care of me during the 3 days stay at the hospital. Thankful for Abs’ care during the night – to get up to help me get on the commode, to throw the urine in the toilet and clean it herself even though she could let the nurses or nursing aide do it. Thank u Lord that she can get right back to sleep after all that’s needed to help me. (Abi just started her 3rd year at med school. She and Han took turns caring for me at night. God’s timing is perfect.)

I’m so touched, on her own initiative she brought the Eskinol for me to wipe my face during the stay in the hospital knowing that it’s my nightly routine.

I wanted to make things simple – didn’t want to be too burdensome. But when nurses outside don’t respond after pressing and pressing the button, even 30 minutes after replying that he’s coming but did not, what else to do but to wake your own sleepy child to help you. It’s alright. She gladly does it – even beyond what I asked her to. She loves me. It’s ok – I’m her mom – I took care of her when she was young – when she didn’t even know how to ask for my help.

It’s alright to ask help and receive love from my child. Even though I thought that me at 54 and they about or less than half my age, it’s too early for them to be taking care of me. Shouldn’t it be more in the distant future?

Re-reading this story reminds me God is gracious. In whatever circumstance, I need to be thankful and mindful of small moments of big grace… big things come in small packages if only we’re attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit to teach us godly contentment and gratitude to the God of grace.

Seeing Thru God’s Eyes

From the pit to the prison to the palace… that about summed up the life of Joseph! Is that it? Nope… not quite…

He was 17 tending his father’s flock and sent to look on his brothers when he was thrown in the pit then sold to be a slave. He was sent to prison because he was falsely accused for sexual harassment.

He regained his freedom at the age of 30 to be the 2nd in command of all of Egypt in the palace of Pharaoh. There was none like him – he had position and power, wisdom and wealth, fame and family.

At that point in time, we see how he felt when he named his sons: Gen 41:51-52 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

He saw God whether he was glad or sad; in both suffering and blessings.

It was said that life begins at 40! Joseph at 39, finally found peace and reconciliation with his brothers. He wept so loud everyone outside the palace heard him. It was such an emotional reunion. How did he feel to finally see the people his own blood, the very ones who sold him into slavery? How could he still hug and kiss them? How could he forgave them for all they’ve done? Because at the end of it all, Joseph sees God’s hand in everything.

Joseph said to his brothers:
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Gen 45:5-7).

An abundant life does not consist of roses without thorns, smooth highways without valleys. Even a thorny life is beautiful and deep valleys are not total darkness when see behind the lens of a loving God.

Joseph at 40 saw and lived life as more than just places of pit, prison and palace. He lived his life in the presence of a loving God. He saw God’s hand moving and guiding. He witnessed God’s presence and share this presence with the people around him. He acknowledged God both in the good and the bad.

Where are you now in life? In a deep dark pit? Lonely, afraid, worried? Or perhaps in prison? Enslaved by pursuits of things that bring temporal satisfaction? Or maybe in a palace of the good life? In spite and despite every circumstance or whatever you are going through right now? Are you at peace?

Shalom – the ultimate word for well-being. Shalom is more then just simply peace; it is a complete peace.

According to Strong’s Concordance 7965 Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Jesus fully paid the price for peace – peace with God and peace with man. As Joseph lived a life of peace, let us live shalom because Emmanuel, God is with us… even in such a time as this.

Peace be with you, my friend.

Lessons from the pit and prison of life…

From the pit to the prison to the palace… that about summed up the life of Joseph! Is that it? Nope… not quite…

He was 17 tending his father’s flock and sent to look on his brothers when he was thrown in the pit then sold to be a slave.

He was sent to prison because he was falsely accused for sexual harrassment.

He regained his freedom at the age of 30 to be the 2nd in command of all of Egypt in the palace of Pharaoh. There was none like him – he had position and power, wisdom and wealth, fame and family.

At that point in time, we see how he felt when he named his sons: Gen 41:51-52 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
He saw God whether he was glad or sad; in both suffering and blessings.

It was said that life begins at 40! Joseph at 39, finally found peace and reconciliation with his brothers. He wept so loud everyone outside the palace heard him. It was such an emotional reunion. How did he feel to finally see the people his own blood, the very ones who sold him into slavery? How could he still hug and kiss them? How could he forgave them for all they’ve done? Because at the end of it all, Joseph sees God’s hand in everything. Joseph said to his brothers:

Genesis 45
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

An abundant life does not consist of roses without thorns, smooth highways without valleys. Even a thorny life is beautiful and deep valleys are not total darkness when see behind the lens of a loving God.

Joseph at 40 saw and lived life as more than just places of pit, prison and palace. He lived his life in the presence of a loving God. He saw God’s hand moving and guiding. He witnessed God’s presence and share this presence with the people around him. He acknowledged God both in the good and the bad.

Where are you now in life? In a deep dark pit? Lonely, afraid, worried? Or perhaps in prison? Enslaved by pursuits of things that bring temporal satisfaction? Or maybe in a palace of the good life? In spite and despite every circumstance or whatever you are going through right now? Are you at peace? Shalom – the ultimate word for well-being.

Shalom is more then just simply peace; it is a complete peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.

According to Strong’s Concordance 7965 Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Jesus fully paid the price for peace – peace with God and peace with man. As Joseph lived a life of peace, let us live shalom because Emmanuel, God is with us… even in such a time as this.

Peace be with you, my friend.

Why do people suffer?

Question… Do you think those who are suffering in the world today are bad people or because they’re worse than others? Ooopsss… This is not a good question to ask especially to those who are suffering!

Jesus asked the same rhetorical question in reverse order. Do you think these people were worse sinners than others because of the bad thing that happened to them?

Luke 13

1 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.”

What are these 2 incidents mentioned in the passage:
1) v. 1 Galileans massacre: Pilate killed Galileans offering sacrifices in the temple.

“Neither Scripture nor secular history gives any more details regarding this massacre, but it is likely that the Galileans, visiting Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, had been caught up in a nationalistic fervor and started a commotion on the temple mount. The Roman governor Pilate quickly and violently quelled the disturbance, killing the Galileans along with their sacrificial animals, perhaps as a public demonstration of how violators must “atone” for their “sins” against Rome.” (taken from https://www.gotquestions.org/Galileans-in-the-Bible.html)

2) v. 4 Tower of Siloam tragedy:

“The fall of the tower of Siloam is not mentioned in other historical records, and, since the Bible gives no more detail of the structure’s collapse, we cannot be sure what the tower was for or why it fell. The tragedy was obviously well-known to Jesus’ hearers. Siloam was an area just outside the walls of Jerusalem on the southeast side of the city. The tower of Siloam may have been part of an aqueduct system or a construction project that Pilate had begun. In any case, the tower fell, and eighteen people were killed in the catastrophe.”
(https://www.gotquestions.org/tower-of-Siloam.html)

V. 1 tells us that some people told Jesus of the incident of the Galileans killed by Pilate. Who were these people? Why did they tell Jesus of the incident? Because Jesus in the previous chapter, in Luke 12:54-59 criticised them for being hypocrites and judging others. Jesus was teaching them not to judge others but be reconciled to each other.

Jesus knew what these people were thinking. They thought these Galileans were killed because it’s their due punishment for revolting. Jesus used another current event – the fall of the tower of Siloam to illustrate their idea of suffering. People die or suffer because they were more guilty than others (v.4).

Jesus used these current events to stress an important lesson: Repent or perish. All sinners need to turn to God. All have sinned. (Romans 3:23)

Today, the world is suffering. There is physical death. There is also moral decay. Bad people do bad things that cause suffering to others. While it is true that sin causes much suffering, it is also a reality that seemingly, ‘good’ people suffer not because they did something bad. Job is one such example of ‘good’ Biblical heroes who suffered. Joseph and David also suffered.

Bottom line: Jesus negates 4 assumptions people make about suffering. It is not true that…

1) Suffering is proportional to sinfulness.
2) Tragedy is a sure sign of God’s judgment.
3) Bad things happen only to bad people.
4) We have the right to make such judgments.

When we see people suffering, we need to resist judging them. We cannot say they must be guilty of something, as if God is punishing them. Rather Jesus calls for self-evaluation. Look within oneself and take it as a warning to repent. The suffering of someone is not cause for blame but for self-examination.

Whether a person is American, Chinese, Filipino or not, from Galilee or from Georgia, rich or poor, young or old, sick or healthy, educated or not, whether he thinks he’s good or bad, the fact is all people are under God’s judgement unless they repent – turn to Jesus in faith. To repent is turn away from sin.. a change of mind to sin no longer and show this change in action.

Do you believe Jesus, my friend? Read the Bible and know Jesus. Turn to Jesus. Turn or burn. Repent or perish.