TERROR IN INDIA - Muslim terrorists attack Mumbai

An evil act by evil men in an evil world. That was my definition for the terrorist acts on 9-11. And I think that holds true even now. A former student of mine asked me by email as to WHY India's financial capital of Mumbai (formerly BOMBAY) was the target of the Muslim terrorists. There was no need for an elaborate answer as to the pros and cons and for analyses and speculations about it. The political and religous and even amateur gurus have had their say and are still philosophizing on what happened. The questions seem perpetual - what happened, why did it happen, will it happen again, and on and on. But underlying it all is one fact that is so often overlooked by the world in general. There is sin in our world and as long as men are in bondage to that sin then evil acts will continue.

Is that oversimplification of such a terrible incident? Or is it spiritualizing it so that the reality becomes more bearable? Absolutely not. It was real. It was devastating. It was suffering. It was DEATH.

For three days Mumbai burned. Its two largest hotels were turned into shambles. Its small Jewish community were almost obliterated. Foreign tourists enjoying India's famed cuisines in restaurants were shot to death. Innocent passers by were gunned down. Brave commandos were brutally sprayed by AK 47 firings. And over 150 people were left dead.

Just a number for the newspapers - 150 or more dead. But behind the figures there are women who were made widows and children left homeless. And a rabbi's baby suddenly left in an alien country with no parents. That is the tragedy of terrorism. The tragedy of sudden bloodshed in unexpected places.

Blame the politicians or blame the historians. Take your pick. Only one answer makes it all clear. Though it seems so trite to say so, the bottom line is that the Peace that Jesus came to earth to bring is NOT in the lives of the majority of the world's population. Its the Christmas Season, the season of joy and peace. Where there is no peace and no joy and no fulfillment of the Lord's agenda there will be violence and bloodshed. There will be no peace.

Pray with us for our beloved land of India. Pray for the city of Mumbai. Pray for peace in our country and elsewhere. Pray that the Lord of Peace and His Message of Peace be speedily proclaimed around the earth.

Till our next chai time. Leonard