Luke 13:1-5 - Unexplainable Tragedy

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, was a port city made wealthy by the importation of gold and diamonds from the Portuguese colony of Brazil. In 1755, a major earthquake hit on All Saints Day. People had crowded into the churches which were lit with candles for the holy day. When the earthquake hit, most of the churches were destroyed and the candles sparked fires throughout the city.

Those not immediately crushed fled to the shoreline and docks to avoid falling buildings. But the earthquake also brought on a tsunami. The oncoming tsunami pulled water out of a major estuary, exposing sunken ships, laden with goods. Some people ran in the mud to plunder the ships...only to be drowned along with those who stayed on the shore. Between the earthquake, fires and tsunami, as many as 50,000 people were killed.

Religious leaders, both Catholic and Protestant, had various ways of explaining how this was the judgment of God on the people of Lisbon.

It brings to mind a conversation Jesus once had.

“1 Now ...there were some present who reported to [Jesus] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'” (Luke 13:1-5, New American Standard Bible, 1995)

In other words, when bad things happen to a particular group or to an individual, don't assume that God is doing it to punish them. We're all on the same playing field when it comes to the need to repent and be forgiven. 

Theologically, we can blame Adam and Eve. They sinned and corruption entered the world. (Romans 5:12) But then why do good and innocent people suffer? Why do wicked people get away with murder... at least for now? (Ecclesiastes 7:15) I don't know. Whatever happens, though, God wants us to turn to him. In good times as well as bad.

God, it's beyond my comprehension to know what catastrophes You directly cause and what tragedies You merely allow. Or why. I can't tell what's deserved or not deserved. It's particularly unexplainable when children suffer. Regardless, don't let tragedy make me bitter or cynical. Use unexplainable times to soften my heart when I need to turn to You as my shelter, my comfort, and my Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/earthquake-takes-heavy-toll-on-lisbon
Illustration: Photo of 19th-century illustration by North Wind Picture Archives/Alamy Stock Photo;
https://www.hakaimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/header-lisbon-disaster-1536x738.jpg