The month of May has been an extremely tough month when considering tragic events. The country has experienced multiple natural disasters that have had a devastating effect upon both large and small communities. Tornadoes have left a harrowing sense of despair in states like Missouri, Alabama, and Oklahoma to name only a few. Even Kansas has had to deal with sudden tragedy caused by severe weather. Flooding has ravaged homes along the Mississippi river, while other areas have had to face the burden of drought. Although the War on Terror does not receive as much media attention as it once did, the families of those serving in the military continue to feel the heavy burden of this long war’s demands. Then, of course, there are all those private personal battles that wreak havoc on so many souls while the world barely takes notice. What does it all mean? Can any sense be made of this world that seems intent to maintain a dominant theme of gloom and doom? The governing voices speak hollow messages of better days, while the world falls down around them.
Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a context from which to adequately respond with hope to the question of suffering. Jesus’ own testimony to his disciples provide a significant clue, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Mt 16:21 ESV)
Although, to compare the suffering of Jesus with the suffering mentioned above is somewhat tenuous, for no human will ever suffer to the degree of Jesus, it does provide an important framework within which to try and make sense of tragedy. For Jesus is pointing out that He will be, as the HOLY SON OF GOD, enduring extreme misery, BUT after the suffering He will be raised! That is significant!
Jesus does not necessarily give reasons for suffering, even while he accounts for its sobering reality. What he does give is a reason to endure suffering with hope! Jesus is establishing deep within the heart of any would-be disciples, the reason for hope. Because the Lord understood the essence of following Him in a broken and desperate world He not only spoke about the power of His life being greater than death, he demonstrated this reality by coming up out of the grave. This is critical if ever there is to be a sufficient response given to anyone lost in the grip of despair. Jesus says, there remains meaning in the midst of suffering, there remains meaning in the throws of death and that meaning is simply to discover the supreme power of life.
The Apostle Paul writing to the church in Rome gives this description, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:19-23 ESV)
Paul’s understanding is simply that suffering, (and sometimes suffering in incredible ways) is a consequence of living within a creation that was meant to flourish under the care of man-kind in his God-likeness, but instead has been grossly mis-managed under the influence of a rebellious care-taker. So, Jesus has come to redeem or rescue humanity from the consequence/curse of the man’s rebellion. Within this era of salvation, (between the Fall and the Second Coming) suffering will be a dominant thread woven within the fabric of human existence. However, Jesus has given the world the upmost reason to hope; hope in the power of Life over the power of death. Again, it is Saint Paul who powerfully makes this point to the believers in Thessalonica, “But we do not want you to be uninformed brothers, about those who are asleep (those who had died), that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14 ESV)
Anytime or anywhere that death and devastation are dominating the scene, be it on a large scale, like what is seen in the wake of the Joplin tornado, or on a small scale, like is felt within the despairing heart of a person with a tortured soul, the message of life through Jesus Christ must come in conquering and to conquer. This message alone promises meaning, promises life, promises that all is well in the fairest and grandest of lands. It is this message alone the allows for grief to exist with hope!
Hoping in the GIVER OF LIFE
Pastor David Gibbs
