Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. John 16:20 NABRE
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples about future events. Specifically He has told them He is not going to be with them very much longer, but He will return to them, He will not leave them orphans. They don’t really understand what He has been saying to them and they are asking among themselves what His words mean. He tells them how they will feel, they will weep and mourn. Of course He is talking about the moment of His arrest and Crucifixion. They won’t and don’t understand how He could let these things happen to Him. They have watched him heal hundreds, bring people back from the dead, the blind see and the lame walk they have even watched Him defeat His accusers with His words, why doesn’t He do something to stop this tragedy in their eyes. He seemingly goes along with the Religious leaders and the Roman rulers allowing them to end His life. They weep and mourn at their loss but also question if all they have seen and done with Jesus was somehow a mistake. Did they leave their lives and follow this man only to end up confused, sad and afraid? Jesus even tells them the world will be glad He has been put to death, things can go back to normal, He won’t be outspoken and challenging the balance of power. But Jesus tells them their grief will be turned to joy. The will see Christ glorified and they will be more happy than they have ever been in their lives. Then they will understand, and they will truly follow Him.
We too mourn and weep when we see suffering and sadness in our lives. We can move from mourning to joy when we follow Jesus to the cross and into resurrection. Joy comes when we are connected to Christ.
Do you convert sadness to joy? Are you willing to follow Jesus?
We too mourn and weep when we see suffering and sadness in our lives. We can move from mourning to joy when we follow Jesus to the cross and into resurrection. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #mourn #joy #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways