I've received a couple of different requests to recap my statement at the beginning of this past Sunday's message about the earthquake/tsunami in Japan and what I feel our response should be as followers of Jesus. So here we go:
If you're a news junkie like me, or even if you're not, you've probably been riveted by the images on your computer and television that have been coming out of Japan. I woke up Friday morning with a feeling of deja vu as I watched the ocean pouring onto the shore of Japan. I thought that I would never see anything on the scale of the Indian Ocean tsunami, but now, just 6 years later, we've witnessed a disaster just as devastating.
As I sat transfixed in front of CNN over the weekend several thoughts took shape in my heart as to what is the appropriate response to a disaster of this magnitude.
- This disaster is an alarm bell that Jesus is returning. - I'm not an apocalyptic, end-times preacher. You won't find me teaching in front of a 20 foot illustrated backdrop of the timeline of the book of Revelation. However, the reality is that Jesus is returning at some point and that he specifically mentions earthquakes as a sign of the "birth pains" of his coming (Matt 24:1-8) In the last six years we've seen 5 of the top 10 strongest earthquakes in recorded history. This Friday's quake was the strongest in the history of Japan. In Western Christianity, our comfortable lives often detach us from the immediacy of Christ's return. I believe that disasters such as we are now witnessing in Japan should remind us that Jesus is coming.
- This disaster is a sober reminder of eternity. - The earthquake and tsunami were centered on Miyagi Prefecture, one of the least evangelized areas of one of the least evangelized nations of the Western world. A missionary friend of mine tweeted out a stat that said there are only 9,000 practicing Christians in the entire population of 2.3 million people in Miyagi Prefecture. If that is true, then undoubtedly, thousands if not tens of thousands of people unexpectedly entered into an eternity without Christ on Friday afternoon. Too often we live detached from the reality of heaven and hell. They are real places. This tragedy should serve as a catalyst for us to reexamine our efforts in regard to the Great Commission. Am I doing everything I can to advance the message of the good news of Jesus around the world? More importantly, am I doing all that I can to share the gospel in my city, among my friends and coworkers who are separated from Jesus?
- This disaster should prompt us to pray. - We should be on our knees and faces praying for the people of Japan. Pray for comfort for those who've lost everything, pray for protection for those who are working in terrible circumstances to rescue and save others, pray for wisdom and strength for the leaders of the nation. Most importantly, pray for the church in Japan, that this would be an opportunity for our fellow believers to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus to their countrymen.
- This disaster gives us an opportunity to tangibly demonstrate God's love. - Yes, Japan is a highly developed and wealthy nation, but the reality is that they need a lot of help right now. There are a number of Christian aid organizations who are already mobilizing relief efforts to bring assistance where it is most needed. Most of us are not going to get on a plane and fly to Japan. That wouldn't even be wise. But we can give financially to Christian organizations who are prepared to tangibly demonstrate the love of Jesus to the people who are in the greatest need.
