Like most Americans I am grieved and deeply shocked by the events in Aurora, Colorado. All we can do is to pray for the souls of those who were killed and for the Lord to provide comfort to those who mourn. We pray as well for those nine still in critical condition, for those fifty-eight who have been wounded and now have months and years to recover, and for those who were present and now face psychological and spiritual wounds. I am also praying for the parents and family of the young man who committed this crime. And, like most Americans we all struggle with trying to make sense of that which is so senseless.

I am thankful that our President made a trip to Colorado and visited with the families who mourn, with the persons who are still in the hospital, and with other survivors. He indeed expressed and well represented the compassion of America.

Of course now there will be cries for stricter gun laws, more security, and an evaluation of our current mental health systems. There will be discussion about our justice system and even the question of capital punishment will be again on the table. All of it, however, will not prevent the possibility of another such horrific event. I must agree with Gov. Mike Huckabee, “Ultimately, we don’t have a crime problem or a gun problem – or even a violence problem. What we have is a sin problem. And since we ordered God out of our schools and communities, the military and public conversations, you know, we really shouldn’t be so surprised when all hell breaks loose.”

We need to wake up and understand that we live in a world where there is evil and we live among people who need a Savior. Evil rears its head daily. We need only reflect on the recent bombing in Bulgaria or in the recent bombings of churches and places of worship in Pakistan. What about the daily abuse of children at the hands of deranged parents? What about the massive sex trade industry in Africa? How about children armies or the rape of millions of women in D.R. Congo? Have we already forgotten the Rwandan Genocide and the real possibility of another tribal war in that same area? What about the daily victims of crime or domestic violence? Can’t we hear the cries of over 115,000 babies aborted every day around the world? What about those who die or are wounded in the numerous wars around the world?

We need to confront the reality of evil. The solution to evil is not futile attempts at everyone trying to be good and certainly not by trying to legislate goodness or outlaw evil. In fact, government can sometimes be the source of the evil we want to conquer. What is needed is the message of the Gospel of Jesus because until we deal with the problem of sin in each of us we will never confront evil. The cross of Christ is the definitive solution to the problem of sin and evil. In Him alone there is the possibility of a new creation. And, our hope is for the day when His Kingdom is fully established on earth as it is in heaven. Until then let us hold to the position that all life is sacred.

Finally let us pray for the whole Aurora community as they seek healing that will ultimately come from the One who is our healer.