On Seasons of Tears & Joy-Lent 29, 2015

John 16:19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

I love this promise of Jesus.

He knows they’re confused.  He even knows what they’re asking each other.  He knows that they don’t feel comfortable asking Him what He means.  Maybe they don’t want to bring up a bad subject.  Maybe they don’t want to appear stupid.  Maybe they don’t even know what they’re thinking and feeling in their grief.  The shock and the fear are like that raging wind back when they were in the boat with Jesus.  They need for Him to calm the wind and the seas, that storm in their spirits this time.

So He tells them that there are seasons of tears and joy.  The tears last for the moment and true, they don’t even know the tears fully yet, but He promises their grief will turn to joy!

Then, He gives this beautiful picture of a woman in labor, giving birth to a healthy baby.  All the labor pains will become a distant memory.  Joy swallows up any tears.

Pain gives way.  Good triumphs.  Joy triumphs.  And even better, Jesus promises

I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

This joy is forever.

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Give it Up for Lent:  Expectations of monotony, every day is the same, it’s gray, it’s sad, and it’s always winter

Put it On for Lent: Hope that springs eternal

For further thought:

• How does Jesus teach them to be more than simply optimists?
• What is the difference between what Jesus is saying and blind optimism?
• In what ways is it reassuring that Jesus already knew their questions?
• What questions of yours does Jesus know, too?
• Be reassured and read Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”  Even when it seems like anger takes its stand against you, or weeping over life’s circumstances is getting the better of you…look at the duration of His favor.  Look for the Son rise and the rejoicing in the morning with He is Risen!  Good Friday was pretty dark, but Jesus knew…hold on through the season of tears, joy is a-comin’, the empty tomb is a-comin’… Easter morning is a-comin’.

 

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