Nov 30 2021

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

In John 16, Jesus is addressing His disciples for the final time before the crucifixion. He tells them they will soon have great sorrow but that He will return to them. They will have inextinguishable joy, which no one will ever take away from them. Today, we'll talk about the joy that the Lord gives us.

Jesus wanted the disciples to know that the sorrow they were about to experience would not be interminable. It would have a clear end—they would see Him again. In the same way, we can remember that our sorrows will not last forever. Like the disciples, there will be a time when our sorrows end. Knowing that our pain has an end date can help us endure it. We can know that this life is brief compared to an eternity with God.

After the time of sorrow, the disciples would have joy that no one could ever take away from them. This refers, of course, to the resurrection. When Jesus, their teacher whom they loved and thought dead, appeared to them, they would be consumed with joy! They would have new hope in Him, finally understanding once and for all that He was God.

Today, we can join in the disciples' joy. Jesus is alive today! He has defeated death and all sin, and nothing can stand between us and His grace. Our salvation is just as incredible as the resurrection. Indeed, our own hearts were dead toward God, unmoved by His promises or faithfulness. This is why Jesus intervened and gave us new life in Him. We take part in the resurrection, and, as it was for the disciples, rejoice on the other side of death.

The disciples' lives were shaped by the joy in the Lord. Each went out to share the Gospel with many nations, and all except for John were ultimately martyred for their faith. They had joy in the Lord that was stronger than their desire to live. Indeed, they had found new life in Jesus—and knew it was worth dying for. Today, think about the joy you have experienced because of Jesus and how you might allow it to shape the way you live.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for the promise of joy. Even though life can be painful today, I know you have made a way for me. Help me to walk in joy with you. Thank you for giving me a way through my sorrows. I love you, Jesus. In your name, amen.

Nov 29 2021

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