I was saddened today when I heard the news that two bombs had exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon at a point in the race when this area was the most crowded. I was even more saddened later when I heard that three people had passed away and nearly 80 had been treated for injuries. When I heard the news I immediately thought of the World Trade Center bombing in New York in the 1993, the federal building bombing in Oklahoma City in 1995, and the bombing in Centennial Park in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics. I also thought of the scenes in Aurora and Newtown from the past year. The images that flashed across the screen seemed more like a scene from Batman than actual reality. It seems that as soon as the news stops their daily conversation about the last major tragedy another one happens.
I mourn at the loss of life. I feel empathy for those who were affected. My heart breaks for those who were harmed, mentally or physically, and my mind wonder why an event like this happens. I wonder how a person could be so evil as to plan and carry out an event like this. I wonder what kind of hate has to permeate a person's heart in order for them to carry out mass murder. My mind was filled with questions, many of which I will never know the answer to. I can't explain what leads a person to do something like this, but I know what could have saved them. I don't know what to say to those who mourn, but I know they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).
The sight of the explosion struck me in a particular way. Whoever carried out this bombing chose a scene of jubilation and celebration as the scene for fear and terror. A finish line is a symbol of accomplishment and joy, and today it was turned into one of confusion and panic. It was clear to me that the person (or persons) who did this did so to take a positive symbol and turn it into a negative one. As I contemplated this I couldn't help but think of the crucifixion of Jesus. In the first century the cross was a symbol of pain and suffering. Those who passed by Golgotha and saw men being crucified would have had feelings of disdain and disgust. Jesus, however, didn't let the symbolism of the cross define him. Through his resurrection, he defined what the cross meant. After his resurrection people no longer looked at crosses with fear and no longer thought of death. Now they look at the cross and have joy, being reassured of their salvation.
Just as Jesus took the cross, this negative symbol, and turned it into a symbol of salvation, I know that he can do the same with this event today. Right now the scene is one of fear, death, and injury, but in time it will be redeemed and will again become a scene of victory and triumph.
There will be a lot of discussion in the next few days about why tragedies like these happen. People will blame violent movies, the eroding of our educational system, the breakdown of the family, angry music, gay marriage, a lack of prayer in school, and on and on and on. All of these explanations will miss the point, as the true cause of the problem will never be discussed. These possible causes are merely symptoms of the real sickness: sin. It is the sin within us that leads people to carry out such violent actions. It is important to remember that we all sin and are in need of a savior. It is because of this imperfection that God sent his perfect son to become perfection for us. It is only Him who can save a hardened heart.
I know that good will come from this tragedy. I know that God will work in and through this horrible experience. I also know that we as Christians have the message that can bring comfort to those who hurt, clarity to those who question, and salvation for those that need saving. May we never miss an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with those who need it.
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