To tell the truth

Recently I gathered with a group of students on a retreat with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I was asked to lead a session exploring suffering and lament in scripture, and what it means for us today.

I’ve wrestled with this topic a lot over the last 7 years, and even published a book on the subject. Still, I could not help but feel the weight of it. The leader of this InterVarsity chapter reiterated to me that many of the students were grieving and wrestling with loss, and I certainly did not want to say anything that might burden them further. Suffering is a tricky topic that can go off the rails so easily, leading to hurt and alienation.

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Our discussion was rich, and the students were engaged and generous with their contributions. As I’ve reflected on our time together, I’ve found myself wishing we would have had more time; and hour is a mere “blink” when it comes to such an exhaustive topic.

One student approached me after the session and told me about a friend who became an atheist because of unresolved personal and familial suffering. The student asked me for advice about what to say to encourage this friend to return to faith in Christ. What. A. Question. What DO you say to someone who has suffered deeply, who has watched their family suffer deeply? We pray, we serve, we remain faithful, but . . . ? It is the universal question, and I won’t even pretend to have an answer.

As we talked, I shared with the student how I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the events of John 8, that seem to culminate in vv. 31-32 (NIV) with Jesus’ declaration:

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The truth will set you free.

What a statement. Various scholars have written that “truth” here refers to the fulness of who Jesus represents, his life, teachings, death, resurrection - the fullness of who he was and is, of what his life, death, and resurrection means for all of humankind. Integral to Jesus’ life was his immense suffering and the example he left for us of how to suffer. While for many centuries, Christendom has focused on Christus victor, or “the victorious Christ,” and rightly so, perhaps we have done a disservice by not equally focusing on Christus dolor, or “the suffering Christ.” Think, for example, about many of the songs we sing in corporate musical worship that focus on “victory,” and how we are assured of it if only we believe, praise, and keep the faith. ARE we assured of victory in this life? DO we know what God has in mind? Indeed, we are not and cannot. Therefore, if we are to speak “truth,” perhaps we should more carefully choose the words we sing, preach, teach, and pray so that they more readily align with what we are promised by God in scripture:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NIV)

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5; Deut. 31:6)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

We will walk through suffering. This is true because Christ walked through suffering. We will experience loss, grief, abandonment, pain, heartache. This is true because Christ experienced all these things, and thus, so shall we.

What is also true?

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-4, NIV)

As we wrapped up our conversation, the student said to me, “Maybe if Christians were more honest about what to expect in life, people wouldn’t get so disillusioned.” What a statement!

We will suffer . . . a lot. THIS is the truth.

What is also true is that we are held and we have hope that one day every tear, pain, heartache, and loss will be restored as though it had never happened. This is our anchor. This is our hope.

This is the truth.