Good Tidings of Great Joy

I don't know about you, but tonight my FB feed is FULL of updates related to the shootings that happened in Connecticut today.

Some people are just SAD about it. 

Others are ANGRY.

Some are looking to Jesus.

Others are looking to more guns to be able to put a stop to such terrors.

The thing is...Every single person is shocked. Every single person was caught off guard. 

School shootings are not new and yet no one ever expects to wake up and hear that another one happened. 

Right? 

We all have the same initial reaction. And frankly, I'm glad. 

We all respond to such terrifying things with a bit of fear and yet the urge to overcome the evil involved in some way or another. 

We want our children to be safe. We want dangerous people to be kept from doing dangerous things. 

So, what is the answer? 

In this world, our children (and ourselves) will never be completely safe. WE cannot put an end to evil. 

What we can do is remind ourselves and those around us that we are all SINNERS. 

It's not the evil or the guns faults...It's the sin in the hearts of men. 

What happened in Connecticut today, happens DAILY in our own hearts. 

When things like this happen, they just serve as another piece of proof that we all NEED Jesus. 

Jesus is the answer. And this CHRISTMAS season, there isn't anything else better to be dwelling on. 

It is my prayer that people in Connecticut, people in the US, and people around the world will hear the news of this shooting and realize that even now, God is working. 

God is working to show the sin in the hearts of men.

God is working to show the finiteness of men and the infiniteness of Himself.

Jesus came to live and die and rise again. In so doing, He was conquering sin and death. As we celebrate Christmas, many of us are taking time to look forward to the day when Jesus will come again. When He comes, He will be the final answer to the wickedness that goes on around us. 

He will put an end to ALL sin and death. He will judge the hearts of men. He will redeem His own and take them to be with Him forever where they can see His glory.

Tonight, read John 17. There you will find Jesus' prayer for His people. At the center of Jesus' prayer are these words:

"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."

(John 17:24 ESV)

Oh, that we would all come to see and savor Jesus Christ. Oh, that the evils of this world would humble us so that we might SEE our own sin, our great need for Him, and the total AWESOMENESS of what we have in Him. 

People were killed today...Sin was on display. But, in our hearts, on our FB walls, and wherever we have the chance to share it, the love and work and glory of God can be on display too.

That's why evil happens...That's how the glory of God and the good of His people can come out of such terrible things. 

That's the good news, the tidings of great joy brought to all people.