Sorrow and Joy!
John 16:22- “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (EHV)
Sorrow can be debilitating and exhausting. It is almost impossible to see joy and happiness when the weight of sorrow descends on your heart. Is it surprising that the disciples where exhausted while Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane? But what made them sorrowful? Jesus spent the night telling them that he was about to die, one would betray him, and Peter would deny him. They all would abandon him. What should have been a night of celebration descended into sorrow.
But Jesus gives them a glimpse into the future. Yes, they would do all those things he said, but it would not end with his death. They would see him alive again. Jesus’ resurrection would give them the joy that would overcome their sorrow. And the best part…no one or nothing can take the joy of the resurrection away from them.
Unfortunately, we still live in this world where we must deal with sorrow. We have sorrow because of the sins we commit, and the sins committed against us. We have sorrow because of the consequences that sins have in this world, whether it is a broken relationship, loss of something important to us, or dealing with death. Sometimes we look at things in this world to give us joy over sorrow, but the things that give us joy in this world do not last.
Where can we find joy in the midst of sorrow? We turn to the comfort Jesus gave his disciples the night he was betrayed, the resurrection joy! Even now as we deal with sorrow, Jesus lives! His resurrection is the joy which cannot be taken away from us. Even if the whole world turns on us and we fall into great sorrow, Jesus lives and has conquered sin and death. Nothing can take his resurrection away from us. And the best part…we will see him with our own eyes. He will help us see him though our tears and that joy will never end.
Dear resurrected Lord, thank you for giving us joy that can overcome our sorrow. Let us be confident in your joyful resurrection that it will remain and never be taken away. We ask this in your name. Amen.