As we discussed in my last post, God asked Adam and Eve questions He could ask all of us when we have sinned.
But how they answered gives a true picture of human nature.
When asked if they had done what God told them not to do, Adam spoke up.
He said,
“The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Note. Adam blamed both Eve and God.
Then God said to Eve,
“What is this you have done?”
Eve said,
“The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Eve said it wasn’t her fault either. The devil made her do it.
Often when there is a problem, we first look at all possible options for blame … anyone but us. If blaming humans does not work, we try blaming God or the devil.
Let’s take a more complicated example of the blame game.
Whose fault was it that Jesus got crucified?
Was it His fault for becoming too confrontative with the religious leaders?
Was it Judas’ fault for revealing Jesus’ location?
Was it Herod’s fault … or other religious leaders?
Was it Pilate? He tried to wash his hands of any blame.
What about the soldiers who arrested Jesus, tortured Him and crucified Him?
What about the crowd who called for His Death?
What about Jesus’ Followers who made no move to save Him?
And then we are back to God. Was Jesus’ death just His Plan? Did He really call for all that suffering for His Son?
Before we spend any more time playing the blame game, let’s take a moment to reflect on the first question God asked Adam and Eve.
Where are you?
Where would you have been among the list of people who might have contributed to Jesus’ death?
If the same events were happening today where you live, how would you respond?
Would your first impulse be to assign blame … or would you look for Jesus in every one of His Creations and do what He tells you to do?
Jesus had every reason to assign blame, but He didn’t. He forgave. He loved.
Can we do any less?
Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for Me.
Matthew 25:40
