We tend to think of joy as circumstantial, but Jesus wants us to
think of joy as consequential. If we are dependent on our circumstances being
“right” to experience joy, then most of our lives will be spent without much
joy! However, if we understand joy to be a consequence of our relationship with
our loving Father and the life that he is calling us to live, then even in
difficult situations we can be full of joy.
On the evening before his arrest and subsequent crucifixion, Jesus
had an extended conversation with his disciples. One theme running through that
conversation is the joy that Jesus is trying to create in the lives of his
disciples. It is important to notice that this conversation about joy happened
in the shadow of the cross in order to keep from falling into some “pie in the
sky” sentimentality that considers joy as simply a strategy to avoid all the
tragedy in the world. Jesus was known as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with
grief.” He knew that joy was not a placebo against sorrow, but was a greater
reality behind the sorrow and grief of the world.
Jesus rooted the joy that he wants to give his disciples in the
powerful love of God the Father. “As the Father has loved me, so have I
loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my
commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands
and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my
joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:9-11) The love of God is the most secure place in the
universe. No matter what happens to you in life, if you are in the love of the
Father, all will be well. Because we are mortals who will be given immortality
by God, even our deaths are not the final word on our life and joy. Jesus
surrendered to death and conquered it through his resurrection. That promise of
life eternal is grounded in the love of God.
Jesus also promised his disciples joy in the middle of their grief. Very
truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will
grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 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. 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. (John 16:20-22 NIV) Their grief was centered on the arrest and
crucifixion of Jesus, Their world completely fell apart and they did not know
what to do with themselves. But on Sunday morning there were stories of Jesus
alive again, resurrected! Grief turned to joy and joy turned to mission.
It is hard to imagine, especially in the middle of tragedy, how God
will restore and redeem this fallen creation, yet that is the promise He gives
us that he is working to make all things new. Jesus called it the “restoration
of all things.” Paul reminds us, “For the kingdom
of God
- Kenny Payne
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