Cross View Blog

The following is the backstory of the photo as told by commentator William Barclay in his book Jesus of Nazareth:

The eleven disciples, frightened, huddled behind the locked doors of their hideout, suddenly looked toward the door. Andrew gasped, making Peter and the others swing around too. They could hardly believe their eyes. Some of the disciples shrank back, more frightened than before, but Peter cried, 'Master!'

Jesus stood there, silhouetted against the light in the doorway.

"Why are you afraid?" Jesus asked, "Why do you doubt I am here?"

Joy began to dispel the dark shadow from their faces. They were caught up in a great wave or warmth and happiness, as when old friends meet after a long absence. Matthew said, almost laughingly, "Master, your persecutors will be confused forever."

More gravely, but with undiminished affection, Jesus asks, "Why were you so slow to understand? Why were your hearts troubled?"

Four times Jesus asked his disciples, "Why?"   His disciples had no good answer to His questions. Three times He had told them about his coming suffering, death, and resurrection. They had heard also the eyewitness report of Mary Magdalene. They had no real basis for their unbelief and fear.

 "Why?" is the most common question people ask of God.  "Why evil, why suffering, why this pandemic?" we wonder. 

When trying to determine the "why" of matters, we must be very careful of the heresy of the single cause, that is presuming that there is one single cause for terrible events. Life is seldom that uncomplicated.  God's intentions about specific disasters, famines, crimes, and catastrophes cannot always be determined.

 We commonly ask God why, but do we ever ask ourselves, "Why am I so slow to believe and quick to doubt? Why am I so fearful? Why am I so troubled?

Considering the great things our Savior has done to assure us of His love, questioning God's motives is just plain inconsiderate. When we behold His suffering on the cross, what reason have we to ask if He cares? What are we thinking?

God could be highly offended by our questioning His Word and promises. He could justly reject us for refusing to trust Him. He could easily choose others who are more eager to trust Him. The Old Testament shows that the Sovereign God judges nations when they steadfastly reject Him. Eventually, they are punished for scorning His love.

Instead of rejecting His redeemed children, our LORD reassures us repeatedly of His steadfast love. Like an ever-patient parent, He reminds us of His promises. As a hen gathers her wandering chicks, so the Lord repeatedly pulls us back to Him. "How often I would have gathered you, but you would not."

 "Oh, you of little faith!" Jesus said to His disciples in a boat on Lake Galilee.  They were "so slow to believe" even after several special resurrection appearances. Yet, one more time he reappears to host them at a lakeside breakfast. When would they ever trust His promises?

 Finally, after Pentecost, they got it. Filled with the Spirit they left their homes, launched out on their mission and never turned back. In fact, many of them were martyred for their faith.

Instead of asking "why," ask "why not?" Why wouldn't we expect to suffer in this sin-infected world?  Why should we be immune from the effects of our sinful nature? Tribulation and trouble go with the territory of this present world. Accept the fact that life can be very unfair and cruel.

Kris Kristofferson sang "Why Me, Lord? What have I ever done to deserve even one of these benefits?" Rather than complaining about his troubles, he felt that he was getting more good than what he deserved.

Or, better than asking why, let us ask, "What can I learn from this situation? What's the lesson here for me?"

The results will be far different than just continuing to ask that same, dead-end question, why?

Paul Emmel
Minneapolis
Fourth Sunday of Easter 2020

Paul Emmel is a retired pastor in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, having served as a parish pastor, a correctional chaplain for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and a hospital chaplain and a community counselor. As a retired pastor, Paul continues to serve the Lord and His people, including establishing the Minnesota South District’s “Pastors to Prisoners” ministry.