True Joy is with the Saints; John 14-17

May the mumbling commence!

I remember the line in a Billy Joel song called “Only the Good Die Young”.  He sings, “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.”  But to have sorrow rooted in being children of God is to eventually bloom into joy. 

And the laughter will come to the Christian that will be clean of the world’s illusions and deceptions.  Have you ever heard that humor and fear and misunderstanding are close bedfellows?  That accurately describes much of the laughter that this old world grants us.

Christian laughter and joy is based upon our Lord.  Though we may have godly sorrow for a time, abounding joy will be the fruit it bears.  Read from John chapter sixteen (NRSV):

"A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me." 

Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying to us, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"  They said, "What does he mean by this 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about." 

Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'?  Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.  When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.  So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 

On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” (Verses 16-24)

O God, help us leave behind the coarse laughter and humor of this world so that we might pick up both godly sorrow and godly joy.  May we see Jesus as he truly is.  May we seek his Way.  May we enjoy his overflowing joy and love.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out