What Would Jesus Say about the Oil Spill?

Oil...it is dominating our news these days. It is not the high prices, although they have been quietly climbing in recent days. It is not the threat of an Iranian closure of the Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, although the Iranians have not hesitated to declare that such a closure is a distinct possibility if Israel were to attack it. No, the oil that is dominating our news is what is flowing from a ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico. In late April, one of the many oil platforms that dot the Gulf along the southern coasts of the United States exploded sending the platform down to the bottom of the sea. At first the experts stated that the damage would be minimal, but then the rupture grew and more and more oil was leaked into the Gulf. It is now nearly two months since that accident happened. And, although diligent efforts have been made by BP, the petroleum giant who operated the well, oil continues to spew from the ruptured pipe.

Immediately people responded by doing what we do best these days - cast blame. To hear the talk of some, this was no accident; it was part of a great conspiracy to force through stronger environmental legislation and to penalize the oil giants. Water-cooler conversations included accusations that BP should have responded differently; they should have had a plan. Others blamed the government for not stepping in sooner.

Was this a deliberate act? I highly doubt that the officials at BP sat in a closed room and discussed how they could ruin their company. This was an accident. Accidents do happen every day. Tires blow out causing a car crash. Airplane landing doors fail causing a worker to die. Bleachers collapse at a sporting event sending many to the hospital. Friends, the list goes on and on. Accidents are a part of life.

I have been drawn to an often overlooked portion of the Gospel of Luke. In the early verses of chapter thirteen, Jesus is listening to conversations around the water-cooler. (I put this into a modern context so we can better realize what Jesus is saying). "Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1). That news story probably headlined the local papers. We are not given the background for this attack at the Temple, but several people had died when the government stepped in. Listen to Jesus' response: "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:2-3). Notice, Jesus did not cast blame either upon those who died or upon the government who caused their deaths. The event simply happened. What Jesus did state very powerfully was the truth that we do not know when our lives will end; therefore, we need to be ready.

But, another headline appeared: "Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?" (Luke 13:4). Faulty construction? Shoddy workmanship? Architectural flaws? No! Jesus simply said it was an accident. But, listen again to His warning: "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:5). Jesus is saying, "Accidents happen! Life is short! You have no guarantee for tomorrow! Be prepared now!"

That being said that accidents do happen and that this crisis caused by the exploded well was an accident, BP has two responsibilities and one opportunity. First, they have the responsibility to cap the well as quickly as possible. They have tried short-term strategies which have not worked. The long-term strategy is taking time. Perhaps they can be faulted for not having a redundancy plan in place. But, they did not plan for this accident to happen. After all, the last time there was an oil platform explosion resulting in the platform descending to the bottom of the Gulf was 40 years ago. Those types of accidents do not happen with any sense of frequency. So, they never dreamed this would happen to their well or platform.

Second, they have the responsibility to capture as much of the oil that has flowed into the Gulf as possible. After all, the oil technically belongs to them. This will be an incredible task that could take years to accomplish.

And what is their opportunity? They are aware of the hundreds of lives that have been impacted because of this accident. What an incredible opportunity for the leaders of this giant multi-national corporation is send representatives to the little villages that dot the coastlines of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida to offer assistance to businesses to recover. Perhaps it might include an investment of capital. Perhaps it might include enlisting their ideas as to how something like this could be prevented. Perhaps it is just to say, "we care!" Such acts would go a long way, I believe, to replace the stereo-type of the irresponsibility of big business that most Americans have.

And there is one thing that all the oil giants need to learn from this experience: Be prepared for any accident or emergency. I believe that is what Jesus would tell them. Have a plan in place and then hope you never have to use it.

Friends, earthquakes happen (a 7.2 magnitude quake just this morning in Indonesia; and a 5.7 magnitude quake over the weekend in Southern California). Tornadoes and floods occur (the tragedy in Arkansas over the weekend). And oil rigs can explode causing death and an oil spill. They are simply reminders that the world we live in is still under the curse placed upon it because of the sin of Adam and Eve. And, until the King arrives, we can and should expect those accidents to occur.