After a hurricane, flood, fire or earthquake, the pictures are hard to look at. Homes gone. Families in shelters. Many of us feel afraid and heartbroken for them, and want to help but do not know how. And sometimes, sadly, someone says the people hit must have done something to deserve it.
Jesus heard that kind of talk, and he answered it.
The tower of Siloam
People came to Jesus with news of a terrible event. Then he brought up another one himself. In Jerusalem, a tower near the pool called Siloam had fallen down and killed eighteen people.
People in his day often believed that when something terrible happened to you, it was because you had done something wrong. Jesus asked them about it directly.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:4 · King James VersionThe original Greek
ἢ ἐκεῖνοι οἱ δεκαοκτὼ ἐφʼ οὓς ἔπεσεν ὁ πύργος ἐν τῷ Σιλωὰμ καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτούς, δοκεῖτε ὅτι αὐτοὶ ὀφειλέται ἐγένοντο παρὰ πάντας τοὺς ἀνθρώπους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Ἰερουσαλήμ;
Found in Papyrus 75 (about AD 200), Codex Vaticanus (about AD 325), Codex Sinaiticus (about AD 350).
And then he answered his own question. "I tell you, Nay." No.
The people under that tower were not worse than anyone else. They were not being punished. A tower fell. That was all.
Then he told his listeners that they needed to turn their own lives around, instead of judging the people who died.
Ways to help
Give to trusted relief groups. Money usually helps more than donated items, because groups can buy exactly what is needed close by. Check that a charity is well known before you give.
Wait for clear requests before sending things. Piles of unrequested clothes can block roads and warehouses.
Help your own neighbors. If a disaster hits near you, check on older people and families with small children first.
Volunteer through organized groups. Churches and relief groups train volunteers and send them where they are needed.
Offer a place to stay. If you have room, a spare bed for a displaced family can mean everything.
Stay for the long recovery. Rebuilding takes months or years. Help is often needed most after the news cameras leave.
Never say they deserved it. Jesus said no, and so should we.
Not a verdict, a call
When disaster comes, Jesus does not point at the people it hit. He points at us, and asks what we will do. A gift, a meal, or an afternoon shoveling mud is a good answer.