Fallen Levees, Fallen Man, Fallen World

New Orleans is devastated. Water has breached the city's levees. It pours into the streets. Mud, snakes and alligators settle in formerly manicured neighborhoods.  Homes are submerged. People are desperate. In their desperation, some have turned selfish and violent.

TV cameras capture pictures of looters, walking off with televisions they almost certainly will never be able to watch, and expensive appliances they will almost certainly never be able to use. Even a children's hospital is not safe, in these primitive conditions. Men guard their property and their families from men with guns, with guns of their own. A New Orleans resident, Art Depodesta, tells the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he's disgusted, because "The whole U.S. is looking at this city right now, and this is what they see."

Commentators express amazement that a sophisticated U.S. city could descend so quickly into chaos. But ultimately, the state of New Orleans is no different than the state of the world: fallen, sinful, and cut off from God. A disaster of these proportions brings to mind the words of St. Paul: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Romans 8:22)

The answer in this time of trouble is not the shallow "gospel" of a Jesus who waits for us to unlock his power. Nor is it the promise of prosperity, which rings so shallow in the depth of such suffering.

The answer -- the only truly relevant answer in the face of flooding and looting and death -- is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for sinners. It is the flood of baptismal grace that washes away our sins; it is Christ's victory over death, won for us on the cross; it is the certain hope of an eternal life with God, in a new creation, free from the groaning caused by sin.

The depth of our suffering is surpassed only by the depth of God's love. As we respond to ease the earthly suffering of those devastated by Hurricane Katrina, may God allow the certain hope of salvation within us to shine for those who need it. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be a beacon in a darkened city, and in our darkened world.

Update: Territorial Bloggings points out that LCMS World Relief has begun posting updates on its relief efforts for Katrina victims. Their website includes a "Give Now" button, for those who want to donate money to the effort.