Hello,
“I’ve been trained to go and help people no matter where they are, please don’t stop me from going.” So said a young lady who was being interviewed on a National Public Radio program to which I listened on the way to work this past week. The program was looking at the Ebola outbreak in Africa and people from the U.S. who are going over to help. Many people couldn’t understand why she would go over and risk her life to help people whom she didn’t know. Her parents were afraid for her and were hoping she wouldn’t go. “I’ve been trained to go and help people no matter where they are, please don’t stop me from going.”
Although it seems thus far that only a few Americans have become sick who have gone to Africa to help those stricken with Ebola, it is all too clear that to do so is to step into a situation that just might take one’s life. No one would blame anyone for not going and instead staying where it is safe. Although the call of some to not let anyone go to the area of the outbreak or to leave that area are clearly reactionary, nearly everyone can understand the fears that lead to such sentiments.
Why would anyone go and wrestle with this deadly virus? Why would anyone risk their life for no apparent personal reward? In truth, it is hard to believe that anyone would willingly do such a thing.
For some, these are the very questions that they ask of God concerning the incarnation, the sending of his Son. It seems to be unbelievable that the Divine would be bothered and concerned about the pain and suffering of human beings who are in truth smaller than specks of dust in the scope of all of creation. It seems to be unbelievable that the Divine would leave the glory of a heavenly throne and risk….no not risk but expect to suffer the humiliation of an earthly throne of pain, the cross. It seems to be unbelievable that the Divine would be so invested in those who seem hell bent to ruin his handiwork. So unbelievable does it seem that some have determined it isn’t believable. “No god, if there is a god,” they say, “would ever do such a thing.”
The NPR interview gave us no deeper answer of what was driving that young lady to do what she did than her response that she had been trained to go anywhere and help people. The Bible, however, does give an answer to why God would do what seems unbelievable for the Divine to do: Romans 5:6-8, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” Why would God do such an unbelievable thing….love.
Even for humans, love drives people to do unbelievable things. Who amongst us hasn’t said or thought to one who has acted out of love, “I can’t believe that you did that!” For me, it is the very unbelievablity of the Divine doings such a thing as dying on a cross for all of humanity…or even more unbelievable…for me…that stirs up faith and hope and belief in God, a God who as the Bible says “is love” (1 John 4:16).
I am certain that those in Africa hold nothing but thanks for those who, for whatever reason, have come to help them. As I look at the cross and resurrection, I find myself likewise holding nothing but thanks for the one whose love for me is more than I can believe.
I also give thanks to those who have responded with reckless abandon to help those who have been caught in the grip of Ebola. Inspired by them and by God, I find myself motivated to help as I can….not only for those who battle Ebola, but also those whose battles are just as deadly and are not an ocean away.
Have a great week.
God’s grace and peace, (ggap)
Pastor Jerry Nuernberger
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