Sometimes, things really stink – no, that’s not a commentary on the recent UK elections (I’m writing this at five-to-close-of-polls on election night). No, it’s a reflection on the beheading of John in Mark 6:14-29. (Click link above for reflection and an activity to think about cleansing.)
Whether you are jumping with joy at the poll results or drowning your sorrows in a well-earned mug of cocoa, we all know that sometimes dung happens, and sometimes it happens to us.
Christians are not immune to tragedy. Just because you pray for something does not mean it will happen. (But pray anyway. Jesus seemed to think it was a good idea.) I expect John was praying for release. I expect there are very well-meaning, very godly people who have earnestly prayed for the outcome of this election (ditto, the upcoming one in America). But that does not guarantee it will turn out the way they’ve prayed for.
God, in his mercy and generosity, does not force us to do what he knows is best. He allows us to do the (occasionally stupid) stupid things we think are best, and sometimes those stupid things cause tragedies. Like Jesus’s cousin getting summarily executed on the whim of a teenager. Or your favourite party / president not being elected.
Could God have stopped the execution? Sure. Could Jesus have raised John from the dead? No prob. But he didn’t. God doesn’t micro-manage us like that. God knows us and loves us and counts the very hairs on your head, but I don’t think God actually minds which colour of socks you put on today. That’s down to you. And larger choices are down to us too. He has given us brains and consciences and a knowledge of his character, and he has given us Jesus. What we do with that knowledge is our choice. Yes, God could stop everyone who’s sick from dying. But would that not create an idol of living? We all die, you know. There’s more to life than simply not dying.
And God’s not a slot-machine. That parable of the persistent widow is not supposed to teach us that if we nag God long enough he’ll do what we want. It’s saying God is not like the grumpy git. You don’t post a prayer request on facebook and if it gets 1000 likes then little Johnny will be healed. Doesn’t work like that.
You know it doesn’t. I know it doesn’t. But sometimes I act like it does and when, after all my earnest prayers, the thing I’m praying for goes belly-up, I get cross with God for not doing what I want. Hmmmn.
I don’t know why God answers some prayers and not others. I don’t know why God allowed John to be beheaded while other disciples were miraculously freed from prison. I don’t know why a good and godly friend of mine had a severe stoke and died shortly afterwards. But this I know: God is good and wise and kind. I trust that God knows what he’s doing. It’s not for the pot to think it can even comprehend the mind of the potter, let alone complain about how he’s made me. I expect it’ll all become clear in glory. (That’s why we have eternity – it’ll take that long for me to understand!)
For a helpful reflection on ‘Why does God allow Suffering?’, have a listen to this podcast from Bible Project or read this blog post on God’s answer to Job. Commentary from Working Preacher and What is God doing in the beheading of John? from Psephizo.
Liturgy Resources for Proper 10
Ephesians 1:3-14
Confession and Absolution
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Gracious Father, we confess our sins to you. Forgive us, we pray,
that we might live for the praise of your glory.
You chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless before you,
but we have fallen short of your glory. Forgive us, we pray,
that we might live for the praise of your glory.
You adopted us as your children through Jesus Christ,
but we have marred our family likeness. Forgive us, we pray,
that we might live for the praise of your glory.
You have lavished on us the riches of your grace,
but we have wasted our inheritance. Forgive us, we pray,
that we might live for the praise of your glory.
God grant us redemption through his blood,
and forgive our trespasses according to the riches of his grace.
Amen.
Blessing and Dismissal
May you know the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.
May you know the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure set forth in Christ.
May you set your hope on Christ, and the blessing …
Go, marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, the pledge of your inheritance as God’s own people, to live and work to the praise of his glory.
Amen.
The Reflectionary 