So what is the right Christian understanding of the Asian Tsunami disaster? If you scan web sites you will have read different explanations, with, sadly the headline suggested in our teenagers' skit amongst them. I hope you will agree with me that for Christians the life, words and deeds of Jesus Christ should be give us our understanding of life & of the issues we face, including this disaster. So let us listen to his words, as recorded by St. Luke in chapter 13 of his gospel (v.1-5) Bible:Luke+13:1-5....

Here are two incidents, one the direct act of a man (Pilate killing people), one an accident, which may or may not have had an element of human negligence or action involved (the collapsed tower). Jesus' words suggest that some people were saying those who died must have deserved their death, that this was punishment for their sins. Jesus strongly says that it is wrong to think that victims of such violence are necessarily worse sinners than others. But he also says that such events should be a wake-up call to everyone to examine their own lives and turn away from wrong, lest death come to them too. To this story we need to add Jesus clear command to us, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned." (Luke 6:37) We are going against Jesus command and example if we dare to say that the Asian disaster, or any other, was God's judgement on the victims because of their sins. Yes, there is a sense in which everything that happens is a judgement and a challenge to respond aright to God, but disaster is no more so than prosperity. We must look to our own judgement not judge others.

However we must acknowledge that, if God is God, he did at the least allow this tragedy to occur, otherwise God ceases to be almighty. That correct understanding of God's power & involvement with the world, led people in Old Testament times, especially, to ascribe anything that happened as God's direct action. I know some Christians still see things that way, but I hope any of you who do will not write off those of us who see things differently in the light of other knowledge God has given us, any more than we should write off those who take that simpler view. Science shows that earthquakes happen because they are part of the way the world is made: they are part of what makes life as we know it possible, they are not isolated events directly triggered by God. As far as we can tell, physical life would not be possible without such phenomena. I do not know whether, if we were living in harmony with God, rather than being the sinful rebels we are, we could control such things by prayer, as Jesus calmed a storm, but not even Jesus ended storms for ever. We need, I believe, to develop understandings of these things which bring Christian faith & revelation to bear on the knowledge God is giving us rather than rejecting science as godless.

Where was God when the tsunami struck? Surely the life of Jesus teaches that God was there with the victims & survivors, is there with the aid workers and sufferers now, and is with us as we decide how to respond to what we have seen! Jesus shows us emphatically that God is not seated on high looking down dispassionately, manipulating the world, but that he has come to share in its suffering, even dying in agony on a cross for us. Jesus taught that he is in a sense in those victims, and what we do or don't do for them in response, we do or don't do for him (Matthew 25 - "the parable of the sheep & goats").

We must also bring to our thinking the fundamental fact of the resurrection of Jesus and its implications. Death is not the end, so although it is tragic when people die in whatever way, resurrection lies beyond, and a new and fuller life is promised to all who put their trust in God. Those who have not had the opportunity to respond to Jesus will be judged justly by God in the light which they have received. We have a hope even in the face of death, thanks to Jesus.

The bible underlines time and again that God is holy, and therefore must punish sin, but that he is just and merciful. It also proclaims that God is love, so that everyone can experience his loving care even in the midst of tragedy & disaster. The challenge to us is to show the love of God to the victims of the tsunami, not to judge them, and we can be sure God will judge us by our response.

We are ultimately called to respond in faith, hope & love, as our reading has reminded us. Faith that God cares for the victims and for everyone, that he has not lost control of the situation, but will work everything together for good. Hope that there is life beyond death, and that good can come out of this tragedy. Love shown in practical support for the victims, and in our using our influence on those in power to see that the lives of the survivors are rebuilt on a secure and just foundation as we enable the poor to have their share of the world's resources.

So let us not judge others, but ask God to inspire in us a response of faith, hope & love which will reflect his character and concerns.

Summary

• Luke 13v1-5: Those who died at Pilate's hands or when the tower collapsed were no worse sinners than others, but we all need to repent. Apply this to the tsunami disaster.
• "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned." (Luke 6:37)
• Prosperity, disaster & every event is a "judgement" in which our response is put to the test - we will be judged by our response, to God, people & situations.
• God is almighty, so he (at least) allows things to happen - he has not lost control.
• Science shows that many phenomena which bring disaster are necessary to physical life, so our explanation of what is happening should take account of this "new" knowledge.
• Jesus' life shows that God was & is there with the victims & survivors, sharing their pain - he died for them, loves them & identifies with them (and so must we).
• What we do or don't for the victims is for Jesus too (Matthew 25), & we'll be judged by this.
• The resurrection of Jesus offers hope in the face of death & tragedy. God promises to work everything together for the good of those who love him (Romans 8v28).
• The bible underlines always that God is holy, and so must punish sin, but that he is just and merciful. It also proclaims that God is love, so everyone can experience his loving care even in the midst of tragedy & disaster. The challenge to us is to show the love of God to the victims of the tsunami, not to judge them, and we can be sure God will judge us by our response.
• We are ultimately called to respond in faith, hope & love, as our reading has reminded us. Faith that God cares for the victims and for everyone, that he has not lost control of the situation, but will work everything together for good. Hope that there is life beyond death, and that good can come out of this tragedy. Love shown in practical support for the victims, and in our using our influence on those in power to see that the lives of the survivors are rebuilt on a secure and just foundation as we enable the poor to have their share of the world's resources.
• So let us not judge others, but ask God to inspire in us a response of faith, hope & love which will reflect his character and concerns.

Prayers

Dear Father God, we want to thank you for the signs of hope that we can see shining through this disaster. We know that you want to bring good out of all situations, and we give you thanks.

• Dear God, we thank you for the generosity of people. Thank you for the immediacy of the news on our TV screens and radio bulletins, and the posting of details on the Internet, that have all spurred on the generous donations from individuals and governments around the world. Initially, many areas were inaccessible. This photo shows how helicopters, mainly provided by the US military, dropped food, water and other supplies .
• We thank you for the way people have worked together, forgetting political, religious and cultural quarrels..
• We thank you for the many stirring and heart-warming stories of ordinary individuals who have demonstrated bravery and courage in saving the lives of others.
• We thank you for the hope of rebuilding in these countries. We pray that poor communities may be rebuilt with improved facilities, using donor aid. Give wisdom to those in authority, as they discuss freezing or cancelling the debts of some countries, which could lead to improved economic prospects.
• We thank you for the search for meaning that has been the response of many people. We ask you to be with people as they ask questions about the purpose of life and what might lie beyond. We thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ, and for opportunities for sharing the gospel.
  

God is love. Love, according to St Paul, is the most important quality of the Christian life. \\ Now in love, let us pray for the poor people affected by the Tsunami.

• We pray Lord for your comfort and blessing for all those who are grieving the loss of friends and relatives, particularly children who have lost parents.
• We ask that those who have lost homes will be reallocated land and be able to re-establish their livelihoods.
• We pray for the protection of orphaned children, who are most at risk from hunger and disease and, in some areas, from abduction by gangs.
• We pray for the countless people whose livelihoods were washed away. We pray for resilience and strength as communities start to rebuild
• We pray for all those working to bring aid. We pray for their health and well-being as they cope with overwhelming needs. Access to clean, safe water, combined with the distribution of hygiene packs, helps limit the spread of disease in the overcrowded camps.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though… the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam. (Psalm 46:1-3)
Lord, we pray that many of the poor people suffering the long term consequences of the Tsunami wave will come to know that they have a refuge in you. We lift up to you all the relief agencies bringing them both practical help, and spiritual healing. Bless all these efforts, we pray, and may your faith, hope and love be known in all these places.