John 16:16-24

16"In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me."

Joy Like a River Overflowing

17-18That stirred up a hornet's nest of questions among the disciples: "What's he talking about: 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? And, 'Because I'm on my way to the Father'? What is this 'day or so'? We don't know what he's talking about."

19-20Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.

21-23"When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions.

23-24"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

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Joy. Pure joy. The kind of joy that comes only from knowing that the Almighty God who created heaven and earth is in control of the world. This is the kind of joy Jesus talks about. It isn't the joy we get when we get paid, or when we discover that it's double-coupon day at Bi-Lo (although those are good days!). This is a deeper joy, one that rests in the soul and bursts forth upon our faces and we can't control how widely we smile because all of the fear and anxiety is driven away, leaving us face-to-face with the reality of our risen Lord. When we sing 'Joy to the World' this holiday season, think about real joy, Christ-centered joy, the joy that drives us to go out and spread the joy, spread out gifts out so that others may live. Let's go into the world and offer some of that joy that Christ has given us.

Blessings