Finding Hope and Empathy in Suffering
Summary
In reflecting on the profound question of why God allows suffering, I am reminded of a personal encounter with my Aunt Regina, who questioned the suffering of her son, my cousin Charles. As a new Christian, I initially responded with philosophical arguments, but her words, "that doesn't speak to me as a mother," have stayed with me. This reminds me of Jesus' response to the death of Lazarus. Instead of offering explanations, Jesus wept, showing genuine emotion and empathy before addressing the situation. This teaches us that before we attempt to provide answers, we must first acknowledge and empathize with the pain of others.
Suffering is a complex issue, and while we may not have all the answers, we can find solace in the Christian worldview, which recognizes evil as a real category. This perspective suggests that the presence of evil indicates a deviation from the way things are meant to be, pointing to a purposeful universe. My wife and I experienced this firsthand through the pain of a miscarriage. We named our lost child Luca, and later, when we had our son Jonathan Lucian, we realized that his existence was intertwined with Luca's loss. This interconnectedness of life and suffering reveals that sometimes, out of death, new life emerges.
We often imagine a world without suffering, but we must consider whether such a world would include us and those we love. Just as a parent chooses to bring a child into a world that includes suffering, God allows us to exist in a world with suffering, valuing our existence despite the pain. This analogy between divine creation and human procreation highlights the complexity of existence and the choices involved.
Ultimately, we may not understand all of God's ways, but we can trust that He is with us. Just as I comforted my son Raphael during a medical procedure, God draws near to us in our suffering. Jesus' incarnation is God's way of saying, "I'm here." While evil and suffering are not how things were intended, God values our existence and promises a future where He will wipe away every tear.
Key Takeaways:
1. Empathy Before Explanation: Jesus' response to Lazarus' death teaches us the importance of empathy before offering explanations. In moments of suffering, we should first acknowledge and share in the pain of others, as Jesus did when He wept. [01:27]
2. The Reality of Evil: The Christian worldview recognizes evil as a real category, suggesting a purposeful universe. This acknowledgment points to a deviation from how things are meant to be, indicating that suffering is not natural but a sign of a broken world. [03:13]
3. Interconnectedness of Life and Suffering: Our personal experiences, like the loss of our child Luca, reveal the interconnectedness of life and suffering. Sometimes, new life emerges from death, showing that suffering can be part of a larger, meaningful tapestry. [05:05]
4. The Complexity of Existence: Imagining a world without suffering challenges us to consider whether such a world would include us and those we love. Just as parents choose to bring children into a world with suffering, God values our existence despite the pain. [06:38]
5. God's Presence in Suffering: We may not understand all of God's ways, but we can trust that He is with us in our suffering. Jesus' incarnation is God's assurance that He is present, offering comfort and hope for a future where every tear will be wiped away. [09:27]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Personal Reflection on Suffering
[00:55] - Jesus' Empathy in Suffering
[01:40] - Acknowledging Present Suffering
[02:13] - The Concept of Natural Evil
[03:24] - Personal Story of Miscarriage
[04:40] - Life Emerging from Death
[05:41] - Imagining a World Without Suffering
[06:52] - The Sobering Choice of Creation
[07:31] - Holding God to Our Standards
[08:05] - The Mystery of God's Ways
[09:05] - God's Presence in Our Pain
[09:40] - The Value of Our Existence
[10:13] - Hope for a Future Without Tears
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 11:32-35 (Jesus weeping at Lazarus' death)
2. Revelation 21:4 (God wiping away every tear)
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Jesus' initial response to the death of Lazarus, and how does this reflect His character? [01:27]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "natural evil," and what questions does it raise about the nature of evil? [02:13]
3. What personal story does the speaker share to illustrate the interconnectedness of life and suffering? [03:24]
4. How does the analogy between divine creation and human procreation help us understand the existence of suffering? [06:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen to weep before offering any explanation for Lazarus' death? What does this teach about the importance of empathy in the face of suffering? [01:27]
2. How does the Christian worldview's recognition of evil as a real category provide a framework for understanding suffering? [03:13]
3. In what ways does the story of Luca and Jonathan illustrate the idea that new life can emerge from suffering and loss? [05:05]
4. How does the sermon challenge the notion of wishing for a world without suffering, and what implications does this have for our understanding of existence? [06:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced suffering. How did others respond to your pain, and what impact did their empathy or lack thereof have on you? [01:27]
2. How can recognizing evil as a real category help you make sense of the suffering you see in the world today? [03:13]
3. Think of a personal loss or challenge you have faced. Can you identify any positive outcomes or new beginnings that emerged from that experience? [05:05]
4. How does the analogy of divine creation and human procreation affect your view of bringing new life into a world with suffering? [06:38]
5. In what ways can you draw closer to God during times of suffering, trusting in His presence and promise to wipe away every tear? [09:27]
6. How can you practice empathy in your daily interactions, especially with those who are experiencing pain or loss? [01:27]
7. Consider the interconnectedness of life and suffering. How might this perspective change the way you approach challenges and opportunities in your life? [05:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Empathy as a Divine Response
In moments of suffering, Jesus exemplifies the importance of empathy over explanation. When faced with the death of Lazarus, Jesus did not immediately offer reasons or solutions; instead, He wept alongside those who mourned. This act of sharing in the pain of others demonstrates a profound understanding of human suffering and the need for compassion. Before attempting to provide answers or solutions, it is crucial to first acknowledge and empathize with the pain of others, as this can be a powerful form of support and connection. [01:27]
John 11:33-35 (ESV): "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is currently experiencing suffering. How can you show empathy and share in their pain today, even if you don't have all the answers?
Day 2: Recognizing Evil as a Deviation
The Christian worldview acknowledges evil as a real and tangible category, suggesting that the presence of evil indicates a deviation from the intended order of the universe. This perspective helps us understand that suffering is not a natural state but a sign of a broken world. By recognizing evil as a deviation, we can find solace in the belief that the universe is purposeful and that suffering is not how things were meant to be. This understanding can provide comfort and hope in the midst of pain. [03:13]
Romans 8:20-21 (ESV): "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 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."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you see the effects of evil or brokenness. How does recognizing this as a deviation from God's intended order change your perspective on it?
Day 3: Life's Interconnectedness with Suffering
Personal experiences of loss, such as the pain of a miscarriage, reveal the interconnectedness of life and suffering. Sometimes, new life emerges from death, illustrating that suffering can be part of a larger, meaningful tapestry. This interconnectedness shows that while suffering is painful, it can also lead to growth and new beginnings. Understanding this can help us find meaning in our struggles and recognize the potential for new life and hope to emerge from our pain. [05:05]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced loss or suffering. How did this experience lead to new growth or opportunities in your life?
Day 4: The Complexity of Existence and Suffering
Imagining a world without suffering challenges us to consider whether such a world would include us and those we love. Just as parents choose to bring children into a world that includes suffering, God allows us to exist in a world with suffering, valuing our existence despite the pain. This analogy between divine creation and human procreation highlights the complexity of existence and the choices involved. It encourages us to appreciate the gift of life, even amidst suffering, and to trust in the greater purpose behind our existence. [06:38]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: How does the complexity of existence and the presence of suffering affect your view of your own life and the lives of those you love?
Day 5: God's Presence in Our Suffering
While we may not understand all of God's ways, we can trust that He is with us in our suffering. Jesus' incarnation is God's assurance that He is present, offering comfort and hope for a future where every tear will be wiped away. This promise of God's presence provides strength and reassurance in times of pain, reminding us that we are not alone. By trusting in God's presence, we can find hope and peace, knowing that He values our existence and is working towards a future without suffering. [09:27]
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
Reflection: In what ways can you seek and recognize God's presence in your current struggles or suffering? How does this awareness change your approach to these challenges?
Quotes
"Jesus wept, so before he tried to respond to this type of question there was genuine emotion there from Jesus. He never jumped to the philosophical but he wept first. And so, look even in this room they're going to be people who are suffering pretty significantly at the moment even in a room you know this size." [00:89:52]
"The very fact that we call something evil does that point to the fact that actually this is not the way it's supposed to be. There's like an intentionality and a purposefulness in the universe a direction it's supposed to head in and this is contrary to that so I really appreciate the way this question was phrased that in the question it recognizes evil as a category." [00:170:56]
"We realized at some point that if Luca had not been miscarried, Joe still would have been pregnant with Luca at the time that she conceived Jonathan. We literally could not have Jonathan as our son had this suffering and this death not occurred it was literally life that came out of death." [00:291:36]
"Oftentimes I think we picture this world with all of its suffering in it then we picture a very different world with far less suffering or no suffering and we think to ourselves surely God should have made me in this very different world the world with no suffering." [00:336:88]
"When we imagine we wish God had made and sustained a different world we're doing the same thing we're actually unwittingly wishing ourselves and all the people that we love out of existence actually an interesting analogy here between divine creation and human procreation." [00:393:199]
"Having a child and I just spoke about it it's actually a much more sobering choice than we often think about we want to think about the positive aspects of having a child right all the good that's going to happen in that child's life but as a human parent if you choose to try to have a child you're doing something that you know full well will cause serious suffering in the life of the child that you have." [00:407:28]
"We shouldn't expect to have all the answers God's ways are higher than our ways his thoughts are higher than our thoughts our son Raphael has a bicuspid valve that's not dangerous to him at the moment but it's an anomaly in his heart and so I remember when he was very young having to take him for those first tests." [00:487:36]
"I couldn't communicate to him why right in his being he was screaming why and it's not that I wasn't intelligent enough I knew why I could talk to Joe about why but I couldn't communicate that to him because my my ways are higher than his ways how much higher are God's ways than our ways." [00:530:959]
"The Christian faith is the one worldview where we can say that the one who does knows does know he came and he said I'm here Jesus is God saying I'm here I'm here he says here I am I stand at the door and knock anyone who hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me." [00:563:36]
"I don't think that evil and suffering I don't think it's how it was intended to be at the beginning but I do think that God intended you and if you can begin to get your head around the idea that God wanted you with all of your idiosyncrasies and all of your flaws then you can begin to get your head around the idea that maybe God would value a world that would allow for you to come to exist." [00:582:16]
"At some point God is going to wipe away all the tears the beautiful detail in that verse it doesn't just say the tears are going to be gone it says that Jesus himself physically resurrected in his body is going to wipe away every tear from our eyes." [00:613:76]
"Let me add another perspective to this one of the the most significant forms of suffering that Jonah I have experienced as a couple is going through a miscarriage and we were completely unprepared for how deeply that affected us and when we first heard from from the doctor you have this this baby that's growing inside and you go to the doctor and you can't wait to hear the heartbeat you know of your baby and then there's just this deafening silence." [00:199:92]
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