JESUS WEPT
- Lian Hangluah

Presently, the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused much chaos in this world, and it is believed that this pandemic virus will persist for sometime causing much pain and suffering. Amidst this pandemic outbreak, people from different religions contemplate on the genuineness of their faith in God. Practically, their tacit and concrete philosophy on the present COVID-19 imbroglio centers on the question: where is God in this time of suffering and pain? Interesting enough, this thought provoking question will unveil which religion worldview really stands the test of time.

The Eastern culture is known for their mysticism and spirituality. Informatively, most of the world religions sprung out from Asian countries with India as the birth place of Hinduism and Buddhism. Rev. Dr. Ginneithang in his book Leading Missions: An Asian Perspective cites Hindus as subscribing to 330 million gods. For the Hindus, any strange object such as gigantic banyan tree and well refined stones and rocks are considered as sacred deity. Numbering those objects and the human gods amounts to millions. In this polytheistic worldview, the worshippers worship some of their gods out of fear; and some worship out of reverence and to receive blessings from their gods. Besides this, the Hindu society reflects the inextricability of certain social classes with their religious beliefs. In his book why are we backward?, Vishal Mangalwadi asserts that Hindu society is based on the idea that your neighbour social and religious status is superior to you. He sharply explains that this religious belief builds up the walls of hatred and social disparity between different segments of the caste system. In addition, not only the Hindus but the adherents of Buddhism also endorse the philosophy of karma. The philosophy of karma emphasizes the cause and effect notion so much that it hampers God’s intent on man for his creation here on this earth in the midst of this painful and suffering world. In simple terms, the cause and effect notion refers to the spiritual principle where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect). For example, your good moral life in this present world will ensures good moral being or good animal in the reincarnate life; and the bad moral life vice versa.

Coming to Islam, Nabeel Qureshi in his book “No God but One: Allah or Jesus” asserted that Islam seems to propagate sacrifice and hatred towards Jews and Christianity within the Arabia religion through the history. He further states that unlike Jesus Christ, Allah Mohammad never show any sort of empathy towards their followers.

Another quintessential philosophy encountering the question of pain and suffering is humanism. Humanism rejects the notion of any supernatural or divine being (God) to which human beings are obliged to submit and give reverence. Instead, they cling to Protagoras philosophy that states “Man is the measure of all things”. Another idiosyncratic nature of humanism is that they believe truth is relative rather than absolute. In fact, the radical manifestation of humanism is Athesim. A Catholic priest Frederich Coplestone once asked Bertrand Russell, a staunch atheist a question “How can you differentiate good from bad?” Russell simply stated that the concept of good and bad can be differentiated based on feelings. Coplestone further elucidate his question by stating one practical instance. In one part of the world, people condemned killing is sin while in other part of the world people justifies killing even their neighbour. In such a situation, what according to you justifies your feelings? The one who condemned killing or the one who endorse killing?? After the question Russell stands confused and dumbfounded. (Paraphrase the interview based on the book “Why I am not a Christian?” by Bertrand Russell). In line with the preceding argument, the humanists seem to show less emphatic towards the victims and they are inclined to follow to law of the state regardless of the authenticity of the truth.

Pertinent to the above discussion, let us make a point-blank critique on various religious beliefs; and examine whether their gods comfort or empathize in times of suffering and pain. As mentioned above, Hinduism is built upon social disparity among certain classes of people. Apparently, a spirit of hatred is imprinted in their hearts. Not only this, the inanimate objects could not comfort or console them in times of crisis. Acknowledging the flaws of Hinduism, God sent William Carey to inculcate love and forgiveness among the different sections of society. His approach is so fruitful among the Hindu society culminating in the abolition of Sati. And to some effect, the rightful attitude is imprinted in educated Hindus concerning caste system and dowry practices. These changes would not have been possible had there been no Biblical worldview imparted in Hindu society. We owe much debt to the pioneer Christian missionaries. Don’t we?

The Islamic worldview caters a quite confusing interpretation of Quran as it is written in Arabic. Qureshi contends that the third Caliph Uthman even burn down some of the text as it cause confusion within the adherents of Islam. Informatively, to embrace Islam, is to believe Allah is God and Mohammad is its prophet. Besides this, followers of Islam religion needs to fulfil the five pillars of faith. As mentioned above, Quran teaches more of sacrifice and neither Allah nor Mohammad have ever shown sort of comfort or consolation. Adherents who long for love, forgiveness, comfort and consolation seek for some greater divinity other than Allah. A gigantic figure like Qureshi would be one such instance. He found that the greatest ethics, which is love, is very much embedded in the personality of Jesus Christ. And embracing Jesus Christ will ensure love, comfort and joy in the present day and more gloriously in the future.
The humanist held a philosophy that says ‘what I am doing right now is okay as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone’. One instance may be taken in the case of abortion. They justify themselves that abortion is okay as it does not hurt others. Statistically, abortion kills and hurts not only an individual but also families. It is also known as ‘silent holocaust’. The biggest question which struck my mind is ‘Do the humanist have strong feelings towards human life? Is human a product of an evolution process or just a product of big-bang?

The question keeps on going. In this topsy-turvy world, we acknowledge certain virus permeating our world. Spanning from SARS, Ebola and Corona virus.... The list can go on and on... In the midst of man-made disaster and nature disaster engulfing our world, the greatest question is where is God in times of pain and suffering? Contextually, where is God during this COVID-19 imbroglio? Historians will glance through the history and say that epidemic diseases are evident after every 100 years. Experientialist will look to the present enjoying life at the fullest. Once their present hope is in jeopardy, their life will seem meaningless. And the Utopians will look for the future with hope and joy. But the question lies ‘Does the utopianism ensure a future with complete restoration, healing and comfort?

Dear brethren, of all the philosophies and religious world view that confronts the suffering and pain of human being, there is one religious worldview that vividly tackles such issues with love. I may not be wrong to say that the Christian worldview handles the crisis responsibly with love and comfort. The Christian God is being tested or examined by archaeologist, medical doctors and historians. Surprisingly, it is never found wanting. Kindly allow me to glance through the history where a man named “Immanuel” (Matt. 1:23), changed the course of history 2000 years back. He came to be with his own creation, human being. He suffered with human beings (Phil.2). He wept (John 11:35), comforted and consoled human beings back then. Significantly, in this present COVID-19 imbroglio, He himself suffers along with us, He intercedes for us to our heavenly God and He weeps with us too. And the most comforting thing is, He will be with us all till the end of the earth. (Matt. 28:20). And when our present voyage on earth is over, we will land in utmost utopia (Paradise) where there is no sorrow and pain. And we will see our saviour face to face and say “Lord, thank you so much for suffering along with us throughout my life journey. Thank you so much for the unfailing love”. It is this blessed glorious hope that the pioneer Christians such as Paul, Peter and Polycarp cherish in times of persecution. The core of Christianity which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to change people lives. Dr. Ravi Zacharias contends that amidst the religious persecution in Iraq, the resurrected Christ comforts and consoles the believers. And today, beyond imagination, countries such as Iraq and Iran were the fastest growing Christian population in the world. Lastly, my throw back question to you all: Does the phrase “Jesus wept” speak to you today? I’m convicted that He still weeps and comforts me during this COVID-19 crisis.