Where was Jesus during the Sandy Hook shootings?

“Where was Jesus during the Sandy Hook shootings?”

I believe that Jesus was right there, at the school and in each classroom of Sandy Hook on that day. Why do I believe that? The Bible says that our Father holds the world in His hand; Psalm 139 tells us there is no where we can go where the Spirit of the Lord is not already there. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that Jesus promises to never leave us or abandon us. Where was Jesus that day? Right there in the middle of it.

Why didn’t Jesus stop the shooter from doing those horrific things that day? Why didn’t He prevent that young man from shooting those children and staff at Sandy Hook? I can’t answer that question completely but I can give some thoughts.

·         How often does Jesus make each of us pick up the Bible and read about Him and find the peace and direction that we so often seek?

·         How often does Jesus make us pull into the church parking lot instead of the running errands or sleeping in?

·         How often does Jesus make us stop swearing and using His precious and powerful Name in vain?

·         How often does Jesus make us stop watching, reading and participating in things that do not bring Him honor or do anything good for our own lives or the lives of those we influence?

·          How often doe Jesus make us love Him and follow Him and bring Him honor?

If we enjoy the freedom to choose Jesus or ignore Him or believe that He is not really a part of this world, why do we question His lack of involvement during tragic times like this? The same Jesus, who does not make you or me love Him and follow, did not make Adam Lanza choose Him. Why didn’t Jesus intervene? I cannot answer that question but I can say with confidence that Jesus did many things that day that we will never know this side of Heaven.

So where was Jesus during the Sandy Hook shootings? He was with the teachers and staff of Sandy Hook as they had the presence of mind to hide those children and in some cases stand in the way for those children. He was with those same teachers and staff as they spoke words of encouragement, love and instructions as shots were heard. He gave those teachers and staff strength, wisdom and courage. He brought peace to those children. Where there should have been chaos, crying and screaming there was quiet, love and peace. I will never forget the words of that young teacher interviewed by Diane Sawyer that thought that the last things these children should hear was that they were loved. So she told each of them, “I love you and I am very proud of you.” Jesus was there.

Jesus was there when the father of Emily stood up in front of reporters probably from around the world and proclaimed forgiveness for Adam Lanza and stated that he and his family were praying for Adam’s family because he couldn’t imagine what they were feeling. That father was Jesus in front of all those reporters and in front of the world. I hope that I would be able to so quickly display love, grace and forgiveness so soon after such a horrific time in my life. He was Jesus in that moment.

Do I wish that horrific day had not happened? MOST DEFINITELY!

But I know Jesus was there.