Devotion:
Read John 16:20-24.
Our passage today takes place in the Upper Room on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion. While Jesus had been telling his disciples that he will be leaving them “in a little while,” the disciples are confused by what that means. Jesus knows they're confused about all this “in a little while” language. But notice that Jesus does not fill in the blanks in terms of details about his imminent departure and reappearance. He focuses not on what will happen, but on how they will respond to what happens.
He says they will be filled with sorrow, weeping and mourning. They will grieve his absence even though the rest of the world will rejoice. He reassures them that as the pain of a woman in labor is replaced with joy, so will the disciples experience joy.
Jesus wants to encourage these men to hold on; not to give up hope when the darkness of his death covers them. They WILL see Jesus again, and his reappearance will mean rejoicing like they've never rejoiced before.
In their confusion Jesus gave the disciples comfort. Jesus assures his disciples that though they are going to experience grief, it will not last and will be replaced with joy. He recognized the pain they would experience and comforted them with the hope of joy.
This is the comfort Jesus offers each of us. No matter what pain and sorrow we are experiencing, we can find joy in our relationship with God. Joy as the world knows it depends upon the unreliable circumstances of this world. But the joy that the resurrected Jesus Christ makes available to us is a joy that the world cannot take away because it’s found in a relationship with him.
Personal Worship Option:
As the disciples learned not to focus on what happens, but on how to respond, we too want to rely on God to see us through our circumstance and find joy in trusting him to lead us through. Think today on finding the Joy of Christ as you trust him in your circumstances.
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