Sorrow Turned to Joy!
Amen, Amen, I tell you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. (John 16:20)
Our verse is part of Jesus’ last words to His disciples shortly before His arrest in Gethsemane. The disciples could tell something was wrong. There was something Jesus was focusing on. Even though He had told them He was going to suffer and die, even death on a cross, it just didn’t agree with their idea of what the Messiah was to do.
Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him. He also knew what His disciples would be going through. You could say Jesus was describing the disciples on Holy Saturday. Yes, they were weeping and wailing. The world (especially the leaders in Jerusalem) were rejoicing. Those leaders had succeeded in getting rid of Jesus. He was in a tomb, dead.
Then came Easter morning. Again, Jesus had told them He would rise. But this too went over their heads. How slow they were to believe the good news.
This week we will celebrate Ascension. The risen Savior returns to His seat at the right hand of the Father. Victory is accomplished. Soon Jesus would also fulfill his promise of the Holy Spirit. His tearful, frightened disciples would be filled with joy. That joy was not for them alone. It was for all.
- Jesus conquered death.
- Jesus defeated the devil.
- Jesus washed away the sin of the world.
That great news is ours by faith.
These words of Jesus also apply to us as we too live in a world that still suffers from the results of sin. The devil likes to use these things to bring tears to our eyes and fill our hearts with sorrow. But what does our faithful Lord do? He keeps His arms around us and gives us the strength to get through. He fills our hearts with the joy that only He can give.
Continue to trust these words of Jesus: “You will become sorrowful, [you might be right now] but your sorrow will turn to joy.”
Prayer: Lord, Your word reveals the amazing love You have for Your creation. It also reveals Your amazing love for everyone. Continue to keep Your promise in our lives and turn our sorrow into joy. Amen.