When Pontius Pilate’s military men,
armed with short sword and dagger
Sliced the flesh of the Galileans,
As in the temple they slit the throats of the sacrificial lambs,
Were these greater sinners than the other Romans and Galileans?
Jesus says: NO!
Was it God’s will that the blood of the sheep
Of His pasture mingle with the blood
Of the sheep of the pasture?
We don’t know enough to say.
When the eighteen lay crushed
amid the rubble of Siloam‘s tower,
Were these greater offenders than all the other Judeans?
Jesus says: NO!
Was it God’s will that Leeann Williamson should be run over while
Biking to work at the Albert Lea Hospital?
Was it God’s will that Marilyn Bertelson and Karen Menssen die of Leukemia?
Was it God’s will that these three thirty-something children of God
Leave nine of God‘s children motherless?
We don’t know enough to say.
Were these three greater debtors to God
than all the other residents of Albert Lea?
Jesus says: NO!
Was it God’s will that I cooperated with a tendency
in our family to diabetes and heart disease?
Was it God’s will that after walking a mile
To the hospital in Albert Lea,
That I rewarded myself with a donut?
We don’t know enough to say.
When I sinned against my pancreas and heart
Did this make me a greater sinner
Than all the rest?
Jesus says: NO!
The most uncomforting comfort
We can give
Is to say: “It was God’s will.”
We do know enough to say:
“It was the will of the Lord to crush him,”
And, “the will of the Lord shall proper in his hand.”
Jesus knew enough to say:
“Not as I will, but as you will.”
And, “This is the will of my Father, that
Everyone who looks on the son
And believes in him should have eternal life,
And I will raise him up on the last day.”
We do know enough to say: “It was God’s will.”
Jesus says: YES!
We all say: YES!
We do know enough to say:
“The Lord knows the way of the righteous.” (Psalm 1:6a)
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