As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 7 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he reflects on how the book of Revelation addresses suffering and evil. Pastor Keller states that the Bible doesn’t merely tell us that evil is punished- although that is an important fact. In our world we can punish evil, but we cannot undo evil.
The author emphasizes that the book of Revelation promises much more than a Judgment Day. Jesus’ suffering is the ultimate strategy for the defeat of evil, Without Jesus’ suffering, evil wins. His suffering makes it possible to end suffering without destroying us. Specifically, at the cross evil is turned back on itself, as theologian Henri Blocher writes in his book Evil and the Cross:
“At the cross evil is conquered as evil. . . . He (God) makes the supreme crime, the murder of the only righteous person, the very operation that abolishes sin. . . . God entraps the deceiver in his own wiles. Evil, like a judoist [tries to] take advantage of the good, which it perverts; the Lord, like a supreme champion, replies by using the very grip of the opponent.”
Christianity has the final answer to evil and suffering, even though God’s reasons behind every instance of evil and suffering cannot be fully explained. And Jesus offers not merely consolation, but restoration.
Today’s question: How does Jesus’ turning evil back on itself revolutionize your understanding of your ministry downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Your moment to sing the aria”
