Thought for Today
2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
Psalm 147:14 He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat. 15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. 16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
Mark 13:7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.
My computer, my smartphone, my iPad, and my desk calendar all agree, today is April 7, 2026. Yet, as I look out my window, it is snowing. Admittedly, the thermometer tells me it is 36.8oF outside and the flakes are not sticking and accumulating anywhere . . . but it is April and it is snowing! I have not checked any official records, but this winter seems to me to have been the snowiest since our first year in New England, 2014-2015.
“In 2026, the equinox happens on March 20 at 10:46 A.M. EDT. This falls on a Friday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.” (www.almanac.com) My computer, my smartphone, my iPad, and my desk calendar all agree that March 20th has come and gone, but it is April and it is snowing!
Easter Sunday was just 2 days ago. I never think about Easter and snow falling together. My computer tells me that Jerusalem has not had any snow falling for the past 15 days and that it is currently 53oF in Jerusalem. My television does, however, tell me relentlessly that Israel is currently engaged in warfare. So too is the United States.
Irrespective of Easter and springtime, we still do hear of wars and rumors of wars. In fact, we are active participants in one currently. We also have a vested interest in the outcome of another. Allied with Israel, we are at war with Iran and the terrorists in Lebanon and Yemen. Russia’s naked, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine remains an active theater of war.
Few nations still have kings. All nations have leaders, whether they are called president, chancellor, ayatollah or Supreme Leader, all nations have a functioning head of state. The words of 2 Samuel may no longer totally be accurate about the time of year, but the truth is that those heads of state are still responsible for leading their nations into wars. Our modern technology has lifted (to some degree) the restriction of initiating wars in the springtime. Is it progress to brag that we can wage war year around?
The nature of war is killing. One group of God’s children decide to kill another group of God’s children. Something in our nature seems to eternally (?) lock us into repeating the actions of Cain. In fact, fancied up in different language, we still ask of God and of each other, “Genesis 4:9 . . . am I my brother's keeper?" I don’t think God’s answer to that question has changed since Cain asked it.
On Easter morning, our congregation, like most others, prayed, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In case there is any doubt in your mind, ‘we’re not there yet!’ And, if there is any confusion in your mind, Jesus’ words still hold, Luke 10:27 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Not to belabor the obvious, but . . . killing and warfare are not demonstrative of loving one’s neighbors.
What are Christians called to do in times of war? That question has been asked and pondered as long as there have been Christians. The great theologians of the 20th century debated the question during both World Wars. I suspect that military chaplains of all the armies on both sides still offered prayers for their own troops. And, I suspect there were faithful Christians on both sides of both World Wars.
Is there any ‘right’ side in war? Can killing other of God’s children ever be considered morally justified? Is there any spiritual or moral high ground in war? When a Christian is confronted by evil, by the absolute, unquestionable evil of a Nazi regime or a terrorist organization, what is our moral, spiritual imperative?
This morning, as I watch the snow falling and I see and hear the reports of wars, I find myself sorely troubled. How can I love the Russians invading Ukraine? How can I love the terrorists bombing Israel, the USA and other nations? How can I ignore the fact that Jesus did not say, “Love the neighbors who are just like you.” I do find some comfort in Jesus’ answer to the question. Jesus offered the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Stay safe, ask yourself the hard questions, trust God,
Pastor Ray