Tragedy

2 Corinthians 4:17

Looking for a meaningful definition of tragedy, we find a few rather clear interpretations, but still somewhat obscure; a fatal event, calamity, disaster. But most emphasis is in reference to its relationship with literature, art, drama, etc., in acting and writing. Looking deeper for meaning, as the word tragedy is basically a Greek word, we find further that the Greek definition breaks the word into two components; “tra-goidia”, “trag(os)-goat; oide-song; “goat song”! Strangely explained as the wearing of, goat skins accompanied by songs to dances, honouring their God Dionysios in a ritual form. . . a senseless, meaningless definition. Searching further for a clearer meaning, we find;, “a distressing, pitiful event.” “I hate definitions”, Benjamin Disraeli.

No matter how extensively we search for meaning to this elusive word, tragedy, all this does not satisfy or answer everyone’s needs or comfort us for our time with all of its perplexities and circumstances. “Meaningless! Meaningless!” …says Solomon, the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecc. l.:2). “Forman,” Solomon soberly said, “is still. under the sun. “He continues to vainly reason about life, philosophying with a world-view. So, “nothing is new under the sun”… then and today. Yet, man’s life, then.. and more so today, is one of sadness: “labour, vexation of spirit, oppression~ grief, mourning, brooding,” These are words of Solomon, son of David, and King of Israel and Judah in the 10th Century B.C. noted for his wisdom, and author of Proverbs, Canticles, Ecclesiastes, and Wisdom ,of Solomon; hence a very wise man.

For much of the world today life seems senseless. Many, including journalists, writers, commentators, statesmen, educators, religious leaders, and Christians alike are vainly trying to make sense out of the nonsensical tragedy of’ September 11, 2001in New York City. “What is the point asked. “You work hard and someone else gets all the credit, You struggle to do good and evil people take advantage of you. You accumulate money, and it goes to spoiled heirs.. You seek pleasure ad it turns sour. And everyone-rich and poor, good or evil-meets the same end. We all die!” There is only one fitting word to describe this life, he says: “meaningless!”

However, here is a sober echo of a message with meaning for our age, our time, for those poor souls trapped in despair, and living in a meaningless world without God. No century has seen such rapid progress (Dan 12:4), and yet such utter despair and fear. What is the purpose of life anyway. Is there any ultimate meaning? Is that all there is?

Man is still living in a world, :under the sun”, a stunned world .lived on only one level, a world apart from God,” and without any belief or hope in an eternal afterlife. It’s a life only for the here and now; “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we will die” (1 Cor, 15:32; Is. 22:13), and “But boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not thyself what a day may bring forth!’ (Prov. 27:1.). This is hedonism; a doctrine that merely pleasure or happiness is a way of life; the sole or chief good in life and that moral duty is fulfilled in the gratification of pleasure-seeking instincts and dispositions. The Old Testament Bible prophet, Hosea, described as “a prophet at once affectionate and fiery”, wrote, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because, thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”-a terrible and searching indictment.

If you live on this level of life, you can conclude that life is truly meaningless …”nothing was gained under the sun” (Eccl2:1). Furthermore, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul:”… and life? (Matt,”J6:26). But Hosea pleads with thepeople to repent (2:7; 7:10; 14:2). The word he uses can mean both “turn” and “return”. The word does not have the subtlety of the Greek “metanoia”, which signifies a change of heart and mind resulting in the change in the way a person lives. Turn back, it says. Come back home. Turn around and face the facts of moral and political decay, of misery and guilt, of God’s forgiveness and grace. Face the God from whom you have been running away and who has been eagerly seeking you.

The Teacher, furthermore, examines the world around him to see if others have found answers to the hardest questions of life “under the sun”. But, to his disappointment, he finds the same old pattern repeated over and over again… “there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1 :9).

Man, “under the sun”, might from his own experience mistakenly think that the earth would continue indefinitely as it is now; to be born, toil, suffer, to experience some temporary joy, which is nothing in view of eternity, to leave it all behind, and then to simply die. All these attractions, and temptations in life-work, food, drink, pleasure, success, prosperity; fame, the teacher decided-are “meaningless”.. .”chasing after the wind. (Eccl. 1: 16). None gave the ultimate satisfaction or hope.

Job, the Old Testament prophet and patriarch who underwent afflictions with fortitude and faith, also asked the hardest questions of life. In Job’s anguish, he sometimes questioned the character of God Himself, demanding a personal explanation. Is it, then God’s fault? Many today, in the wake of the unspeakable horror of the New York tragedy, as Job, blame God for the wickedness of man, the unfairness, injustice, and meaningless around us. They are pleadingly and listlessly asking themselves… why God?.. but why?!

But, Solomon the wise teacher, searching for meaning, found: “God made man upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.” (Eccl. 7:29). He discovered also, “unfairness of life”; people don’t get what they deserve, claims the teacher. Good men suffer while wicked men prosper. Everything seems determined by time and chance. The teacher’s doubts about the afterlife (Eccl. 3:20) affected all his thinking and the thinking of many today, because he saw the utter unfairness of life around him. If one has a solid belief in the afterlife, then he will have and show confidence that God will ultimately judge all people with fairness.. . justice will prevail!

Yet, “there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecc1. 3:1). These are not normal times we are living in. It’s a weary round of a turbulent life. It’s a time of crisis; fear, anger, mourning, rage, horror and sl1bck. But of these, anger and fear predominates. Anger will destroy you before it destroys anyone else (Prov. 14:17;19:29;29:22). Fear of people is unnecessary if you trust God (Prov. 3:25, 26).

It’s a time, also to find balance, and strength in our lives. Remember, “a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Prov. 29:11.) It’s a time to support one another. It’s a time to edify one another. It’s a time to edify the church. It’s a time to take one long step back in our fragile lives and refresh ourselves with many blessings in remembrance of these things. It’s a time to carefully reexamine our hearts, our faith, our direction, our deeds, our unseen lives.

We’re living in a crushing, warring world that does not seem to have any order anymore. It seems that the basis of life is tragedy! Satan is manifesting himself openly and brazenly. It is difficult for many to realize that tragedy exists and to accept it, or cope with it, and that it will always exist in this artificial life, until they have had experiences on the outward surface of life. We read in 2 Cor. 4:16, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Michelangelo said a wonderful thing. “The more the marble wears, the better the image grows.”

Yet, it seems that our inner selves, for many, experience more sorrow than joy in life; that life is only sorrow. Jesus Christ was a man of sorrows. So, “sorrow awaits all Christians all along the way to heaven.” (MH 247). But, on the other hand, “bearing great sorrows, in turn, enables a Christian to comfort others.” (2 SM 274).

Tragedy, stark tragedy, is something in which all forces make for disaster. Apostle Paul, in writing about human life, always wrote from the Bible standpoint, that the basis of many things is not reasonable, but tragic.

Sin has made an abysmal gap between God and the human race. Many times when we try to explain our lives logically or with human reasoning, we find disappointingly that things just don’t work out that way.

When Lucifer and one-third of the angels with him were expelled from heaven it was an evil day that changed the universe! The recent tragedy on September 11, 2001 in New York City was also an evil day which changed the world! Anxiety, stress, crying is common. Many are overwhelmed, scared, helpless, stunned. These are normal reactions for the most part in the face of tragedy and diverse happenings in our lives. Many, in addition, feel as if some part of them has died. They live in anguish, persistent emptiness, and numbness.

They cannot, sorrowfully, even function normally or perform the simplest daily tasks. Scientists refer to this state in one way as post- traumatic stress syndrome. Many seek counseling, others stay home, or isolate themselves and ponder over past events. For many others it has become a world of woe, pain, inconvenience and lost talent. We read, however, from the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4: 12, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”

What are you doing through these difficult trials and woes? Are troubled souls seeking you out for comfort… salve for their anguished eyes? What advice are you giving troubled Christians, friends, sorrowing souls, your family, your children, when tragedy strikes? First, begin with yourself. Are you fit? Or are you sick, weak, frail and feeble? Not only is there a dire need at this time to exercise your faith but your body as well, caring for it, strengthening it, nourishing it with live foods. If you have anxiety or stress, share it with other friends or believers, your pastor, family, elders, but first take it to the Lord m prayer. .. fervent prayer. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety”… and (power) (Prov. 11:14). And “keep your sorrow before God. (SC 100).

Next, and perhaps most importantly, serve the Lord, work for the Lord, with dedication and love. There’s no greater escape, in my opinion, form anxiety and stress, and sorrowing than witnessing for the Lord; bringing perishing souls to the Lord… leading them to Jesus. “Taste and see.. .” and change… doing good to others. “Live such good lives among unbelievers that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”(1 Pet. 2: 12).

Tragedies can refine believers and give us an opportunity to prove our faith; the result working out for our benefit. “Remember, too, that suffering (tragedy) is temporary, to be endured only for a little while (1 Pet. 1 :6; 5: 10). Although experiencing a tragedy can be unpleasant, it can produce something of great value: an abrupt or sudden change in attitudes and beliefs. A sorrowing heart as a result of tragedy is touched by God’s heart of love, as it is His purpose to bring joy out of sorrow. (SC 100, 5T 216.

We are merely travel-weary pilgrims, in a groaning world. More tragedies are forthcoming… worldwide, with greater severity… Jacob’s time of trouble, the plagues. “For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand.” Rev. 6: 17).

Trials and tragedies are God’s workmen, ordained for the perfection of character. However great the depravation and suffering of the Christian, however dark and inscrutable may seem the way of Providence, he is to rejoice in the Lord, knowing that all is working for his good. (RH May 6, 1902).

The things of this world are temporal, enduring only for a time, while the things which are not seen are eternal, enduring through endless ages. To secure this infinite treasure is to gain everything, and lose nothing. (MS 58, 1900).
During World War 2, Britain’s Prime Minister, Winston Churchill broadcast an announcement of the victories of the allied forces when they swept across North Africa and were about to launch the invasion of Sicily. Churchill summed up his announcement with these words: “This is not the end. This is not even the beginning of the end. But, it may be the end of the beginning.”

It’s not he end of the Lord’s ministry when He ascended into the heavens. That was just the end of the beginning. When He ascended, the Holy Spirit came down to us, His followers, doing extraordinary things in His name. His ministry now continues in Heaven, before the Father’s throne, hearing our prayers, interceding for His people, sealing the saints in their foreheads. This is the beginning of the end for mankind.

Returning again to the original premise for a plausible definition of tragedy, we tend to still struggle for a universal label, for an accurate meaning. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt vividly identified Dec. 7, ‘1941 as “a date which will live in infamy.” (Pearl Harbour). September 11,2001 is referred to by many today as “ever since September 11 “, a shortened version for this “new date of infamy”. “Tragic events” is euphemistic and antiseptic, and “the catastrophe in New York and Washington” is too long and shallow. “Terrorist massacre” is accurate since massacre means “indiscriminate killing of large numbers”, but this has not been widely adopted. The Prime Minister of Great Britain, perhaps, comes closest to all in a speech referring to Sept. 11 ”as marking a turning point in history, where we confront the dangers of the future and assess the choices facing humankind.” He continues, “It was a tragedy. An act of evil.” Nevertheless, Sept. 11 is a day that will cause people, governments, church leaders, world-wide, to reflect, consider, change, and make a choice. What choice are you making?

The Defense Department adopted the name, “Operation Enduring Freedom”, Enduring means “tolerating”, as well as “persevering”… to remain firm under adversity; a name referring to the campaign on terrorism and “evil”.

The Gospel reads, “But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to endure His indignation.” (Jer. 10:10). We read on, as the Lord says, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:13) Endure! Endure! “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:1).

Life is full of perplexity and tragedy in a skeptical and wistful world; a world in which with an intent feeling, man is yearning, but with little expectation or gratification in life, of hope or peace. Love is waning. The main thrust of our witnessing, and ministry, therefore, needs to be positive, affirmative today. The people of God, passing through a story time, yet precious time are called to comfort those passing through an equally tragic time, with, “What we have seen and heard we declare to you, so that you and we together may share in a common life, that life which we share with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3).

The real tragedy of Sept. 11 was not in the thousands of deaths, although it was heart- breaking. .. death spares no one and can be swift, ghastly, and premature. It’s not death that is the supreme tragedy, a loathsome tragedy in itself, but death without Jesus Christ! If there is anyone that does not know Jesus or accept Jesus Christ as Saviour, the stony tragedy of death is every crueler by eternal separation from God. (2 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 10:31).

Do not suffer this supreme, ultimate tragedy. Trust in Jesus now, Depend on Him. Seek to let him live His life through us. Come nearer to God, by your devotion and love for Him; by obedience and faith, manifested by your good deeds for those in tragic need.

That is the clinching and soul-sufficing answer to TRAGEDY!
AMEN.