According to World Magazine, “Authorities say Roberts left a handwritten note to his wife of nine years, saying he was “angry at God” over the death of their infant daughter in 1997.” This desperate note couldn’t explain Roberts’ depraved actions to the Amish community. Thank God the Bible can as it correctly identifies the sinful condition of man. 2 Timothy 3:1 says, “But mark this; “There will be terrible times in the last days.” This passage of scripture goes on to describe the actions of men in these terrible times as brutal.
2 Timothy 2:20 says, “ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some for ignoble. (21) If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument (vessel) for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master (God) and prepared to do any good work.” Human beings are instruments (vessels) that will be used for good or evil. Just as God does his good work through people, the devil (Satan) also does his evil work through humanity. For this reason, it is so important we fill ourselves with God’s spirit. What is filling your vessel?
World Magazine reported, “The Amish community abhors violence and zealously attempts to isolate itself from the world’s spiritual and physical dangers. Their peaceful schoolhouse seemed the last place on earth this brutal shooting would occur. But the hard truth is settling over Lancaster County, Pa., that rings true for the rest of the world: Ignoring evil won’t keep it at bay.”
“It just goes to show you there’s no safe place….There’s really no such thing,” Bob Allen, a bookstore clerk in a neighboring town, told the Associated Press. Sam Smucker, pastor of The Worship Center in Lancaster, has a particularly strong connection to the Amish community. He told Word Magazine, “It’s really an indescribable jolt,” and then said he doubted most Amish, “ever thought they’d need security.”
In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The second lesson is one of mission. Apostle Paul faced the corrupted state of man in the “terrible times” he was living in, and gave a charge to Timothy concerning what his proper response should be. He said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: (2) Preach the Word.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are supposed to be proactive in spreading our Lord’s message and conquering evil. The Amish school shooting is a reminder to all that there is no neutral ground. No people group, no matter what type of culture they try to create, can escape the evil that is in the world today. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Six little Amish girls were his latest victims.
Jesus has given us salvation and a message to overcome evil with good: It is our duty, and therefore, our responsibility to aggressively preach God’s word. The Parable of the Talents teaches us that doing nothing with what God has given us is just as erroneous as doing wrong (Matthew 25:14-30). Instead of withdrawing from society, we are commanded and commissioned to engage culture with the good news of Jesus, and make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:18-20).
Who knows, as we actively share God’s word, He might use the power of our witness to transform a heart, and prevent the next person from killing his neighbor.
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