“When Life Tests Us” - Luke 21:5-19
November 18, 2007
Dr. Michael C. Yarbrough

          A couple was excited about the birth of a new baby.  But something went wrong.  The fully formed – seemingly healthy – baby died in the delivery room – and the doctors had no answers.  And we all wonder: why them?  Why did an innocent one die and bring so much suffering to all who loved the family?

          A two-year-old boy was found blue-faced and unconscious on the front porch of his home.  He lived, but now he is mentally retarded and has epilepsy.  No one knows why.  And we all wonder: why must the boy suffer like that everyday?  How can a family live with a burden like that on their shoulders?

          A teenager was so despondent about her life that she ended it.  And we wonder: how do we endure the loss of a young and talented life who was daughter – granddaughter – sister – and friend?

          As he aged, the man’s health got worse and worse: intense headaches – crippling arthritis – pains that made living unbearable.  Each day was a struggle – and each day, he wondered if he could possibly go on one more.  And we wonder: why must one suffer so?  Why is life like that?  Will he ever find relief?

          It’s depressing, isn’t it?  The people who sit next to us in this sanctuary – the people who live in our neighborhoods – even those who live in the house with us suffer greatly.  It seems as if the trials of life whether physical – or emotional – or spiritual – or economic – push us to the very limits of our Christian faith.

          When we become sensitive to the suffering around us, we begin to suffer with them.  And, I don’t know about you, but, at times, I wonder: why do they suffer so?  Why do I suffer so?  When will the suffering end?

          And – could the suffering be any worse?  Yes, it can.  I know of those who have experienced days of torture at the hands of government authorities.  I know of some who have experienced illnesses far more long lasting and painful than ours.  I know the biblical story whose main character lost all of his children – all of his money – was kicked out of his neighborhood – and suffered an excruciatingly painful skin disease that caused him to ache and itch every moment of every day.  His name was Job.  I know of followers of Christ who were stoned to death, set on fire, tortured, imprisoned, and crucified for their faith.  And, sometimes, when I look at the suffering of others, I say a guilty little prayer to God, in gratitude that I do not suffer as they.

          Luke wrote his gospel, from which I read to you this morning, long after Jesus’ earthly life was over.  Christians had waited patiently during the decades after Christ’s resurrection for his return to earth when God would claim final victory over the forces of evil that were obvious in the Roman Empire with its political and social upheavals.  In the gospel, Jesus speaks to a crowd that is overwhelmed with what is going on in their lives.  Their lives were testing them.  The things that they thought they could count on were coming apart at the seams.

          The believers were having tough times.  And you know what people do in tough times, don’t you?  When we are overwhelmed with what is happening to our health, or political maneuverings, or personal finances, or important relationships, it is natural to think about giving up – or running away – or to put our faith in false messiahs.  And so, Jesus preached a sermon.

          Jesus’ short sermon speaks on three levels.  First of all, he surely spoke those original words to a group of fearful and uncertain Palestinian Jews who were gathered close enough to hear.  On a second level, Luke preserved this sermon in his gospel as a teaching for a church struggling with self-doubt, as their lives got increasingly dangerous and painful.  And thirdly, we hear Jesus’ sermon – remembered – recorded – translated and printed – and now read to Bread of Life Christian Church nearly two thousand years after it was first spoken.

          What timeless words of hope are imbedded in these ancient words that could have any relevance for us as the events of our lives test us?  Jesus spoke of signs and persecutions to the newly forming church, but the sermon also provides advice on how we might confront our own suffering.

          The first tenant of his sermon is: “Beware that you are not led astray.”  When we experience personal suffering, we may look for relief in a great variety of inappropriate places: adultery to satisfy emotional pain or insecurity – proof-texting with scripture in order to justify personal opinions about morality – gambling to solve economic pressures – alcohol to take the edge off of the pain or to give false courage – driving a specific car to gain status or acceptance – using sex as a substitute for love – eating food in a search for emotional comfort.  All of these – and more – are some of the many false messiahs that do not bring relief.  Only the One true Savior can!

          Jesus’ second tenant is: “do not be terrified.”  In other words, when life tests us, don’t be afraid.  Jesus knew that suffering would come before healing and persecution would open the doors to witness.  Just know this: you need not be afraid of your suffering because it is a part of a greater good yet to come.

          The third tenant of Jesus’ sermon is: “… make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance …”  If you try to anticipate future suffering in your life, you will find yourself only worrying about the future instead of living in the fullness of today.  Not preparing ahead of time for life’s trials allows Christ’s spirit to work in you and through you.  Jesus said, “… I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.”  To experience life’s tests in the fullness of Christ allows Jesus to use you – comfort you – heal you – and save you.

          The fourth tenant of Jesus’ sermon is: “By your endurance you will gain your souls.”  Perhaps his whole sermon can be summed up with the one word: “endurance.”  We confront the difficulties and suffering of this life with endurance.  Endurance means that we hold on to faith in God.  Endurance means that we look for – and recognize God’s presence in the midst of our suffering.  God is not the cause of our pain!  God is not the instigator of our suffering!  God is the Beloved One – our companion who cries with us in the pain and then lifts us to salvation!

          When life tests you, don’t be misled.  Let your eyes always be on Christ as the trustworthy guide who can lead you through the suffering.

          When life tests you, don’t be afraid.  Our suffering is only temporary.  Besides, God sits with us – lies with us – and walks with us – is always at our side.

          When life tests you, don’t prepare ahead of time.  Instead, live only in the fullness of today.  Tomorrow will come soon enough with its own challenges.

          When life tests you, endure.  Hang on tightly to your faith in God.  Your faith will bring hope.  Your hope will bring endurance.

          If we will not be misled – if we will not be afraid – if we will take our suffering one day at a time – if we will patiently endure – the comfort and strength of God will be waiting for us in the difficulties that are a part of our living.  Amen.

          Let us pray:

          O God whose heart is big enough to suffer the loss of your Son.  We know that you know pain.  Through the teachings of your Son, we seek to find effective ways to deal with our fears – our emptiness – our hungers – and yes, even our pains.  Thank you for his words and the model of his life.  Teach us how to put them into action.  In his precious name we pray.

Amen.