+ Easter 6 – May 26, 2019 +
Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Milton
Series C: Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27; John 16:23-33
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
It’s graduation season, and that means we’re bound to hear at least a few farewell speeches. Farewell speeches, whether from valedictorians or presidents, usually include a parting word of wit and wisdom, or instruction and inspiration.
As we heard last week, in John 16, Jesus is speaking to his disciples the Thursday night before Good Friday. Perhaps it helps to think of Jesus’ words like his farewell speech where he prepares, instructs, and comforts his disciples for his coming death and resurrection, for their calling as apostles, and their work of spreading the Gospel. He also prepares, instructs, and comforts us for our life in this world. For our calling as his children as we share the Gospel with our neighbors.
In Jesus’ farewell speech here Jesus has two promises for his disciples and us.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.
You will have tribulation.
How’s that for a promise?!
Put yourselves in the disciples’ sandals. That’s probably not the sort of thing we would expect to hear from Jesus. Not the kind of promise we want to hear even. It is, however, the truth. In this world you will have tribulation.It was true of the apostles. James was beheaded. Peter crucified upside down. Andrew was scourged and hung on an x shaped cross. Every one of them, except John, died a martyr’s death.
In the world you will have tribulation.
And it’s true of us too. The word tribulation is a physical pressure – like a pressure cooker, to be squeezed and squished. Or like a snake who constricts around its prey. That’s a pretty good description life in this fallen world. So often life seems to press, or weigh down on us. Our own sin, death, disease, sorrow, guilt –squeeze and constrict us.
We, God’s beloved baptized people, his holy bride the Church live in days of tribulation. Churches in the west decline as American Christianity delivers a Gospel of entertainment rather than the Gospel of Jesus crucified. Churches in Europe, the Middle-East, and Asia are bombed or set afire for the sake of Christ’s name. The world around us is like a thistle head, pointing its prickling daggers at us in every direction. Marriage. Family. The value and care of life from conception to death.
In the world you will have tribulation.
So, what are we Christians to do? Give up? After all, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em? Despair and give up hope? Do we make like King Arthur in Monty Python and run away?
No. There’s only one option. Cling all the more to Jesus’ promises. For the same Lord who promised “In the world you will have tribulation” also promises:
Take heart (be of good cheer); I have overcome the world.”
Jesus himself was no stranger to tribulation. Jesus spoke these very words to his disciples the day before enduring the greatest tribulation of all – his crucifixion – for his disciples. For the world. For you.
he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
On the cross, Jesus let the great serpent constrict and crucify him, so that no one will ever snatch you out of his hands. On the cross, Jesus is defeated by death, so that in his death and resurrection you win the victory. On the cross, Jesus is overcome by our sin, guilt, and shame so that in him you might never be overcome.
Take heart (be of good cheer); I have overcome the world.”
Jesus’ death and resurrection is stronger than anything the devil, the world, or our sinful flesh could throw his way. As Martin Luther once wrote, the “I” in Jesus’ promise to overcome and conquer the world is greater than the “you” that suffers tribulation.
And just as Jesus came out of the great tribulation of his suffering and death, so too, he will lead us (as he did his apostles) through the tribulation of this life to himself.
You see, Jesus’ second promise to his disciples, and to you, is greater than the first. It’s true, we will suffer tribulation. And yet, no matter how weak, overwhelmed, or downtrodden we feel, Jesus is victorious in his death and resurrection for you. Jesus is triumphant over sin, death, and the devil for you. Jesus’ promise to his disciples is his promise to you:
Take heart (be of good cheer); I have overcome the world.”
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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