The Pain Is Real, In Spite Of What Slappy-Happy Preachers Sell
Text: John 16:16-22
In the
name of Jesus: Amen.
Contrary
to what positive motivational speakers say, life is not a careless walk on the
beach. Contrary to what happy-slappy preachers say, life is not milk and
honey. There is no pot of gold at the
end of the rainbow, there is no such thing as a gravy train, and there is no
bed of roses. But instead, things are
wrong here on earth. They are so wrong that it causes serious problems for
people. Life is lived in what is called a valley of tears. That is to say, life on earth weighs heavily
upon people with sorrow – and people feel it.
Now,
perhaps the best way to describe this feeling that we have within this valley
of tears is with the word, ‘pain.’ Yes, we experience pain in this valley of
tears. For some, this pain is sadness. For others, it is a heaviness of the soul. And others feel grief or affliction. The point being, living our life in this
valley of tears means that we all experience distress, sadness, grief, and
affliction.
But you
may say, “Not everyone seems sad. When I
ask my neighbor how they are doing, they respond, ‘Good.’”
Ah, my
friends, let me tell you a little secret.
It is quite common that individuals who seem to be happiest are
masquerading their sorrow. Those who
exude and project positivity are often doing so to offset their hidden pain.
Like a balancing scale, people often try to balance their sorrow and pain with
a positive and happy outlook.
But no
matter how hard we all try, the fact remains that this life is so crooked that
it cannot be made straight. History
repeats itself, life is not fair, there is nothing new, and in the end,
everyone dies.
This
is why we have pain and sorrow. And acknowledging today that we live in this valley
of tears is not being pessimistic. You
see, positive motivational speakers and happy-slappy preachers are coming
unglued at this point, crying out, “Stop
being so pessimistic!” But dear
friends, we are not pessimistic but realistic.
In our
reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus is not a pessimist when He tells His
disciples that they will have pain.
Indeed, before His crucifixion, Jesus tells His disciples that they will
weep and lament. He tells them that they
will have sorrow, grief, sadness, and heavy pain. Now, Jesus did not forget to put on a happy
face when talking to the disciples. He did not forget to pick out a pleasant
outlook and spread sunshine all over the place. He did not forget to take off a
mask of tragedy and brush off the clouds of gloom. No, Jesus is clearing addressing the
difficult reality that is disturbing the disciples’ minds. He is calling it as
it is. He is pointing out reality. He is showing that the disciples could not
comprehend the idea of Jesus, leaving them and going to the Father.
Dear
friends, Christianity is not some sort of positive philosophical program.
Christianity is not a bunch of happy slogans on the side of coffee cups. The
church is not an enthusiastic pep rally rooted in superficial we-can-do-it
cheers! And Jesus is not some spiritual
mascot with pom-poms and a megaphone cheering you on with a happy grin. No!
Christianity is rooted in reality. Christians do not live in fairytales
but look at life realistically.
Christians understand sorrow and pain and grief and distress. We know
these things because we see the problem of sin in ourselves and the world.
And
so, just as the disciples experienced pain after Jesus’s crucifixion, being
left in this world seemingly by themselves, we too experience pain and sorrow
in this life. Every day that we wake up,
we experience attacks from the devil, the world, and our sinful old nature. And
there is more; death is at work on every one of us. And so, we feel pain. We
feel a heaviness upon our soul. From our birth to our last
dying breath, we experience hardships, the daily grind, the struggle of the
soul, the heaviness of life, and the chaos of sin. And as already mentioned, speaking clearly
about this pain is not being pessimistic but realistic. Again, Christianity is
rooted in the reality of life within the valley of tears.
So
what’s the catch? What is the solution?
Well,
Jesus and the Christian faith certainly do not teach you to put your head in
the sand – hiding from the pains of life. Christ does not have you close your
eyes to the sufferings of life, click your heels, while saying, “There is no
place like home!” …as if wishful thinking will deliver you out of this valley
of tears. But instead, Christ affirms to the disciples, and us, that we will
indeed have pain in this life, but this pain will be only ‘a little while.’
Dear
Baptized Christians, learn to say these words to yourself: ‘A little while.’ Yes, when the shadows of the valley of tears
press in upon you, say, “a little while.” Say, a little while, because you know that in
a little while, it will all be over. It will all be over soon because Jesus
promises to see you in His kingdom. After a little while, Jesus promises to
come back and take you out of this valley of tears. And when He does this, He will wipe away the
tears from all eyes, and He will heal all the hurt. After a little while, He
will give eternal joy to you.
You
see, because you are baptized in Christ, you are a Christian, and as a
Christian, you do not invest yourself in silly positive philosophical
programs. You do not put on a pretend
happy face. You do not frantically run
from troubles as if you have no hope. No! You, instead, live in reality that this life
is full of pain. And as you live, you
quietly wait for the Lord. Yes, you wait
for the hope of salvation, knowing that there is an end to the pain… that there is an end to the valley of tears.
Baptized
Saints, mark this right now! The
godless world often throws a party as a way to distract itself from the
troubles of life. But you, yes you, you
know that your sadness will develop into gladness in a little awhile. You know reality – that Jesus has risen from
the grave and will come back for you at the great last day. And on that last day, you will be taken from
this valley of tears to unspeakable joy of seeing Jesus and Jesus seeing
you.
And if
you are tucked into your graves before Jesus returns, know this, in death the
Lord pulls you to Himself and will resurrect you to eternal life. And when He
does, oh, the laughter and unending joy. It will fill your heart and make you
dance, and it will cause you to laugh and sing for eternity.
Dear
Baptized Saints, do not lose heart and do not grow faint this day. Do not panic
and do not fret. Be still this hour and be still at this moment; hear right
now. The valley of tears does not last forever; there is an end to the valley.
There is an end to the tears, an end to the suffering, an end to the
persecution, an end to sin, an end to pain, and an end to the devil. It is only
a little while. Be patient, wait it out, take courage!
And as
you wait it out, dear Baptized Saints, to get you through, the Lord gives you
His Word and Sacraments. Therefore, cling to the promises of God’s Word – the
promises that are for you. Hang your body and soul upon His Word.
Continually
receive the Sacrament of the Altar – that is given and shed for you.
Remember
your Baptisms – where God’s name was placed upon your head and heart, marking
you as one of the redeemed.
Patiently
endure any misfortune, while comforting yourself with the truth that the Lord
is with you. Jesus does not abandon you in the valley. Yes, comfort yourself
with Jesus’ Word that this life is only a ‘little while.’ Know that as tough as
it gets in this life that the Lord holds not only the beginning but the end of
this world.
Baptized
Saints, it is just a little while. And then you will see Jesus face to face
your sorrows, sadness, and pain will be turned into joy. A joy that no one will be able to rob from
you. Joy like an overflowing river. A joy with unending confidence. A joy that
is yours in Christ Jesus the Resurrected One.
It is
only a little while.