Our scripture this morning is John 16:19-20 (NLT).
Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”
Jesus tries to explain to the disciples (and us) what is to happen next. It’s a hard lesson for Him to share because He knows the pain it will cause us, but it is absolutely necessary if we are to be saved. His decision to be obedient unto death is our gift of salvation.
He says “your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” Before the Resurrection, we didn’t know what that meant. Now, we see the wonderful plan God has for all His children and the work of making disciples of the world continues through us.
God has made a way for our sin to be forgiven and for us to be part of the ministry Jesus began. We have new lives through Him and we are to invite all our brothers and sisters to know this joy. While Saturday of Holy Week is a quiet day, we know what happens tomorrow as the stone is rolled away and we all rejoice that He is risen!
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Bless us to be part of that sacrifice, dying to our old way of life and rising with Him to be sons and daughters of Your kingdom. Amen.
