Evangelical Greek Free Church |
Perspective - What the Kerang Rail Accident can Teach Us |
| Date Written: June 6, 2007 |
| The tragic death of 11 people and the horrific injuries of many more has sparked an investigation by the local authorities into the possible causes. The incident happened at around 1.40pm on Tuesday, June 5th, 6km outside the Northern Victorian town of Kerang. The accident has been described as Australia's worst rail disaster and it occurred when an experienced Wangaratta-based truck driver appeared to ignore the warning bells and lights at a railway level crossing. The accounts about the seconds preceding the accident as passengers saw the truck approaching the train, are chilling. Afterward, surviving passengers were left screaming and crying. Some of the injured are still in hospital in critical condition and we can only hope and pray that they come through it. Fortunately, accidents like this do not occur everyday, but when they do occur, they serve to remind us how fragile life really is. The difficulty is that you can never prepare yourself enough for them when they come. The questions are all that remain. Why? Why me? Why my family? Why my friend? They are extremely difficult questions to answer and indeed seldom is there an answer that can satisfy those who ask. At one stage the disciples asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:1-2). The "why?" question has always been important. We look for cause and effect. Another group of people were asking Jesus this same question when they heard that Pilate had abused a group of Galileans in the temple. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:2-5) Jesus did not link cause and effect in a way to satisfy those asking the question. He said that unless people seek to do something about their relationship with Jesus Christ, they will "likewise perish"… without hope. He was saying that there is much more to life than this world as we know it. As much as we would like to hang on to life, the Lord has other plans for us. One day we will all pass away. Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." Jesus was asking them to focus on what came next. He has prepared a heavenly home for those that believe in Him as their personal Saviour, to those who have asked Him forgive their sin and to come into their heart. He has invited us to share in His glory. He has invited us to an eternal home where there is no more pain, suffering or sorrow. Are you ready to leave? If not, there is plenty of reason to worry. Get yourself a bible (contact us for one, if you like) and find out what wonderful plans Jesus has for you. Will this make departing the world any easier? Not for those you leave behind, but if they share the same hope in Jesus, then we know that one day we can meet again in a much better place. |
www.greekfreechurch.com.au |