Connect360: Why do good people suffer?

• Lesson 7 in the Connect360 unit “Jesus Storyteller: Timeless Truths From His Parables” focuses on Luke 13:1-9.

One source of suffering is that we live in a world of accidents and disasters. You could even include disease in this category. We live in a fallen, messed up world. When Adam and Eve sinned, they opened a Pandora’s Box of troubles for them and for their descendants.

Pilate acted wickedly—we don’t know why. We don’t know why the tower of Siloam fell; we just know 18 people died. Perhaps it was human error—it wasn’t built well. Or perhaps it was an unavoidable accident.

Romans 8:22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Ours is a beautiful world in many ways, but it is also imperfect. The Bible says the very creation itself has been whacked out of kilter; you can almost hear it groaning like a person in pain. Creation isn’t running right because of sin. One day, creation itself will be fixed and redeemed, but for the time being, there are storms, accidents and disease. Don’t blame God; we messed it up.

Suffering as punishment?

The question in the minds of Jesus’ audience was, “Why did those people suffer and die from Pilate’s cruelty or from the tower falling?” The assumption was that they must have been bad people to suffer like that.

We have a tendency to look at someone and think they are just getting what they deserve. Why do good people suffer? It’s actually not a very good question, because no person is good in the first place. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone” (Luke 18:19).

Maybe you’ve pondered the mystery, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Have you ever stopped to wonder, “Why do good things happen to bad people like me?”

Suffering is certain—and certainly temporary

Suffering is no respecter of persons; everyone will suffer. In fact, the Bible promises those who follow Christ will suffer (2 Timothy 3:12). But the good news is that any suffering we endure in this world is only temporary.

The Bible says in Romans 8:17-18, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Yes, we will suffer in this life—but this life is not all there is.

Based on a lesson by David O. Dykes, pastor emeritus of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.