Christ’s Answer to Human Tragedy
Luke 13:1-5
In this message we will consider another question Jesus asks. This question deals with tragedy and suffering. I’ve preached on suffering many times. I heard of a lady who approached her pastor after he preached a sermon on suffering. She said, “Preacher, I never knew what suffering was until I heard your sermon. Now I know.” I guess some sermons are like suffering—People suffer through it.
Once a long-winded pastor had been preaching for about an hour and finally said, “There’s more I want to say, but Jesus just told me to stop.” He called the song leader to lead in closing hymn. The song leader said, “Let’s stand and sing, ‘What A Friend We Have in Jesus.’”
This question sheds light on the recent tragic shooting at an Orlando nightclub on June 12.
I heard of one person who was critical of God for allowing those 49 people to be murdered. He concluded that God must not exist or He would have stopped it. His conclusion shows he really doesn’t know the true God of the Bible.
As people struggle to understand why tragic events like these happen, we must turn to the Bible to see what God says about disasters and cataclysmic events.
I. The EXAMINATION of Human Suffering.
CONTEXT: Jesus had just spoke of discerning the signs of the times (Luke 12:56). Now a group of people come to inform Jesus of a tragic and cruel act, similar to what we see happening today. Pilate had ordered a “terrorist attack” on a Jewish worship service and massacred some innocent and unarmed Jews from Galilee while they were offering their sacrifices to God. They were killed while worshipping God! A horrific scene!
Why did this happen to these Jews, God’s people? Why didn’t God protect them from Pilate?
Humanly, life looks unfair at times.
A. The truth is— We live in a world cursed by sin.
Tragedies and suffering, like the terrorist attack on 9/11… tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan… earthquakes in Haiti… victims of drive-by shootings… suicide bombers… starving persons in Cambodia… or the atrocity in Orlando—are the result of living in a broken and fallen world.
B. The sin of Adam in the Garden opened a “Pandora’s Box” of trouble and suffering upon the world (Rom. 5:12). Here are a few effects of Adam’s sin:
- Death (Gen. 2:17)
- Fear (Gen. 3:10)
- Pain and sorrow (Gen. 3:16)
- Cursed ground—Thorns, thistles (Gen. 3:16-17).
- Sweat (Gen. 3:19).
- Shedding of blood (Gen. 3:21; 4:8)
- False worship of God (4:3-7).
- Jealousy (Gen 4:5).
- Anger (Gen. 4:5)
- Murder (Gen. 4:8).
These things cannot be blamed on God. God did not bring sin into the world. Don’t blame God for the acts of wicked people, like Pilate (or ISIS, or Omar Mateen).
II. The EVIDENCE of Heaven’s Sympathy.
Does God care about human suffering? Of course He does.
A. Notice Christ already was familiar with this tragedy (v. 4).
You can be assured God knows about our trials and suffering.
B. We know Christ Himself cared for the sufferings of those with whom He came in contact.
He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15).
On four separate occasions the Bible says Christ was “moved with compassion.”
We are invited to cast our cares upon Him for HE CARES FOR US!
Partial sermon: FULL PDF found HERE
