Throughout this series, we have taken a look at a lot of big questions and topics that were raised in the time of Jesus’ ministry, and that continue to come up today. The
relevance of Jesus’ responses to these issues is high for believers in how we can follow Jesus well in the world we live in today. The topic we’re concluding the series
with wasn’t really an issue that we have a recorded encounter of between Jesus and someone else. The idea of, “Why does suffering exist if God is both all good and all
powerful? If He is both those things, shouldn’t all evil be gone?” In our world today, this is a critical issue for a lot of nonbelievers and believers alike. I pray that if you are a
follower of Jesus, you would see God’s character affirmed through these words.
Why do bad things happen?
It’s generally a pretty good question to ask. It’s an existential question that can go as deep as the observation of good and evil, or it can be a superficial question about
spilled milk or a stubbed toe. The bottom line is, pain is real and we go through it. But why? Truly, it is the product of sin that we see guaranteed in the very beginning with
the fall of man.
“‘Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.’”
Genesis 3:17b-19 (NIV)
From the beginning, God told man that the consequence for sin is death. In every choice that we make that is in opposition to God’s will, we perpetuate the existence of
death and suffering in the world. A major question that comes up in this conversation is, “Why doesn’t God stop it?”
Ultimately, the day will come when God does something about all sin and evil. All suffering and pain will be destroyed forever. This is part of the hope of eternal life that we
have in Jesus, but why not start now? The Bible directs us to that very question and God’s response:
“7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”
2 Peter 3:7-13 (NIV)
The ultimate reason that God doesn’t eliminate all evil is because He is patient and wants everyone to have the chance to repent. But the day is coming when He will
accomplish the destruction of sin forever.
In pain and suffering, we can’t make it without God.
Jesus promised His disciples that they would experience trials and sufferings in this world. We can’t be surprised when it happens, but we can’t allow them to draw us away
from God. The difficulties that we all face arrive as a consequence of sin, so in those difficult times, we have to cling to the one that defeats sin and death.
“33 ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’” John 16:33 (NIV)
The Lord keeps every promise that He makes. His desire is for mankind to be saved, and He endured the wages of sin on behalf of mankind to make that possible. His love
and grace are so great for us, that He continues to give people the chance to repent and follow Him. Jesus is not slow in dealing with sin and death, He is patient with
mankind. We are ultimately the source of the evil that is in this world until we are saved and changed by Jesus. He transforms us and makes us new, securing for us by the
Holy Spirit the inheritance that He promises in eternal life. We must cling to and share this hope with the world. There is only one answer, one solution, to pain and suffering
- the Risen King Jesus who has overcome the world.
“4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
