Tuesday Reflections on 9/11

It all seemed unreal when it happened 11 years ago.  I remember a student stopping by my office to tell me that a plane had crashed into one of the Trade Towers.  I decided to go home and learn a little more, and then watched on TV as that impactful morning unfolded.  Still today, I remember many of the details that kept being shown on the news that day.

It's now been 11 years.  The mastermind behind the attacks is no longer living in this world, though terror still finds itself attempting to influence politics around the world.  And in the aftermath of that momentous day, many Christians still cling to the hope they have through Jesus and the cross, that this life is not the only one that we will live, and in that new life, nothing like that will ever happen.

It still saddens me that we humans tend to resort to extreme measures to get our way.  And no, Christians are not immune to this, either.  Anyone who has withheld offerings or left a church because they didn't agree with the pastor or the direction of the church has basically resorted to extreme measures to display their disagreement.  And sadly, in many churches, there are those who will give in to such measures and allow these Christian "terrorists" to win.

That's the trouble with the fact that every single one of us is conceived and born sinful.  We simply cannot help ourselves.  It comes so naturally, and we don't want to think that we are sinning when we resort to such tactics.  And yet, God's Word is very clear.  Anything that isn't proceeding from faith is sin.  Anything not done out of love for neighbor is sin.

9/11 now gives us a day to remember the tragedy, as well as a chance for us to think that we would never resort to doing such things.  However, it pales in comparison to Good Friday, where Jesus endured the greatest act of terrorism of all time, as the weight of the sin of the entire world was pinned on Him unjustly and cruelly.  And yet, out of that action, came the greatest gift that the world could ever hope for; forgiveness and new life through faith in Jesus.

As I think about 9/11 today, more than anything, I am thankful for one who saves me and so many that I love from a life that will always be defined by terror and sin.  I look forward to the new, eternal, perfect life in which such things will never occur.

Easter's done, now what?

The authors of the accounts of Jesus' life would probably not be considered great biographers by today's standard.  When you consider that the longest account of Jesus' life is a mere 28 chapters long (Matthew's), it doesn't seem like they spent a lot of time digging into the rich details of Jesus' life.  A few scattered stories, teachings, and miracles, and then a bit of time looking at Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, and that's about all that we are told.

Today, a person's biography may be several hundred pages thick.  It contains detailed accounts of what happened in that person's life.  It may even include specific notes or quotes that the person made or wrote.  Anything less would seem inadequate to describe their life.

When we look at Jesus' life after the resurrection, we also find that it may seem a bit incomplete.  Jesus continued among His disciples for 40 days after His resurrection, yet we are also told remarkably little about that.  The Gospel writer John hints that Jesus did quite a bit during this time (John 20:30-31), but in terms of actual stories, we don't get a whole lot.

In some ways, that's how life can be after we celebrate Easter, too.  As Christians, we celebrate our big holy day, and then what?  I can almost guarantee that attendance in most churches will drop significantly next Sunday as compared to yesterday.  The focus of many people will turn from Easter to the end of school, the planning of summer vacations and trips, and other distractions of life.

Yet, the reason we Christians believe what we believe is because there was still a great deal to accomplish once the great Easter Event had taken place.  On the cross, Jesus had taken the sins of the world into oblivion, so that their guilt cannot come between us and God.  In His resurrection, Jesus conquered death and the grave so that we can have life. 

Jesus accomplished much, so much more than what we can imagine.  But one thing yet remained.  That story needed to be told to the world so that all would know what God had done for them.  Yes, Jesus alone had accomplished what no other could.  But without that story being told, He might as well have not even done it.

Easter's done.  Now what?  Now you and I have the joy and privilege of telling that story in our lives, with those with whom God causes us to come into contact with.  We don't have to travel to far lands to be missionaries.  In fact, we are missionaries to the people next door, and across the street, and in the grocery store, and at the bank.  Every person who does not yet know and believe that Jesus did great things for them is someone who needs a missionary in their life.

Easter's done.  Now what?  Now find someone to tell the story to.  They need what Jesus did just as much as you and I do.