Commentary on the Gospel of
Perspective
Observe Jesus speaking of apocalyptic times and events in a matter-of-fact fashion. He is able to do so, precisely because he has perspective and sees the larger picture. When the 2004 earthquake and tsunami caused immense tragedy, many people asked: “How can a ‘good God’ allow these terrible things to happen?” Whereas no one can negate the scale of loss and suffering, the observation by Dutch geologist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer may help us see the bigger picture. Earthquakes happen when plates within the earth separate, crack, and run over each other. As a consequence, magmas form at the depths of the earth, which are then thrown up to the surface, releasing nutrients and water, which makes life possible and sustainable on earth. A long view of time and nature helps us see these events in perspective and trust God, even as we use the God-given scientific temper to reduce the tragic consequences.
