Tragedy & Triumph

This past week many tragedies were witnessed in the news. People on social media quickly exploded into outrage offering many different opinions and viewpoints.

I don't plan on commenting on each event that has happened in the past week, and I don't plan on giving commentary on each of the nuanced facets related to these events (including, to name a few, the evil of murder, loving enemies, pursuing justice, motives, faith, allegations of racism, political viewpoints, political idolatry, apologetics, the definition and nature of martyrdom, how much news consumption/social media is healthy, pastoral wisdom, media, why some stories get press while others don't, etc.).

Instead, in this article we will look at Jesus's response to various tragedies in his own life. As we get a glimpse of Jesus's response to his own tragedies, perhaps, with his strength, we too can respond like him.

How did Jesus respond to tragedy?

• Sadness. When Lazarus died and his sister was crying, she said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:32b). Jesus, filled with compassion, wept (John 11:35).

• Prayer. When the news came to Jesus that John the Baptist had been beheaded, "he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself" (Matt. 14:13; cf. 14:23).

• Reminder of judgment and repentance. When various tragedies happened around him, Jesus reminded people of repentance and the coming judgment (Luke 13:1-5).

• Kingdom-focused. When faced with his own death, Pilate asked him: "Are you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33). "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world'" (John 18:36).

• Concerned with other people. When Jesus was on the cross enduring excruciating pain, he was concerned about his mother (John 19:26-27).

• Forgiving and praying for his enemies. When Jesus was brutally murdered on the cross between two criminals, he prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

• Peace. When Jesus's followers are faced with the idea of Jesus leaving, he tells them: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).

• Hope: the Promise of His Return. When Jesus talks about leaving to his followers, he promises his return. "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:1-3).

Jesus experienced quite a few significant tragedies in his life. However, he endured them with peace, prayer, love, and forgiveness while honestly expressing his compassionate tears, remaining fixed on the preaching of the gospel, and staying focused on his future kingdom.

Friends, this is not our home. This is not our lasting city; we seek an eternal, perfect city which is to come (Heb. 13:14). As citizens of heaven, we are awaiting a Savior King from the kingdom of heaven (Phil. 3:20). One day tragedy will be silenced. Although there is tragedy now, there will be triumph later.