The only place we’ll find an answer to the Connecticut tragedy is Jesus on the cross. That is the means God chose for demonstrating His love by the sacrifice of the Son for the world’s sin. For the number one characteristic of God is love. It’s impossible to find His love when we search this fallen world outside of Christ.
When we look for answers beyond Christ, we only have ourselves to solve this riddle and we travel further down our desperate path of self-interest and self-preservation. We’re all sinners and the truth is not in us. When we deny God’s means, then we become gods to ourselves.
God has the answers, yet He chose to be hidden from us. Why? Being “hidden” is different that “hiding”. It is impossible for humans to stand in the presence of God. His mere presence would surely destroy us (as stated throughout God’s Word in the Old Testament). So God remains hidden from us for our good. And he choose His means for us to receive His love and salvation from sin via Christ on the cross through His Holy Word and the Holy Sacraments.
It is only through the cross that we can truly receive reconciliation for our sinful condition. Christ suffered for us out of love. He is our blessed exchange. He took our sin upon his back so that we may have life with Him. He takes our sin. We receive life. He does this out of pure love and grace. He states this promise in the gift of his Word. We cannot deny it. Who are we to call God a liar?
Suffering and pain and anguish surely exists. The level of which for those involved in this tragedy is surely immense. We are not to push aside this pain. Any comfort that is to be received is truly found in Christ. He suffered terribly. He suffered the wrath of His neighbors and the hatred of the devil to its full extent. He also suffered the wrath of God over sin. He knows suffering and He died for each and every one of us. Christ is our Saviour from our sin and the sin of the world.
I share these thoughts after listening to Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller speak on the podcast, Issues, Etc., following the Aurora, Colorado murders. (The line about suffering wrath of neighbors, devil, and sin is a direct quote from Pr. Wolfmueller)
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36