Tag: no one will take away your joy
No one will take away your joy!
Scripture reading for April 28th: John 16
Because He was soon leaving them, Jesus warned the disciples of coming persecution. They would be put out of the synagogue and some would be killed by people thinking that they were doing God a favor. People who would do this did not know Jesus or the Father. This warning would help them to know that what was happening to them was in God’s plan and understanding.
“But I tell you the truth, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me. . .” (John 16:7-9) “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will take of Mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13-14)
Jesus would not leave His followers alone or helpless. They would have a Counselor who would come to them and live in them. This Spirit of Truth would take the things of Jesus and reveal them to the disciples. He would guide them into all truth and tell them things to come. They would be able to ask the Father for anything in Jesus’ Name and He would do it for them! (John 16:23-24) What amazing words of encouragement and hope from our Savior! His Spirit will keep us close to Jesus by taking His words and revealing them to us!
Grief turned to joy!
Scripture reading for May 27th: John 16:1-33
“I tell you the truth, 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)
Jesus spoke plainly about His coming departure and the grief that would come over the disciples as they witnessed the unfolding of events. They did not fully understand what He was saying, but He knew that the Holy Spirit would help them understand fully and remember what He taught them. He encouraged them to be patient and look for the joy that would follow.
Jesus likened the disciples joy at His resurrection to that of a mother who had just had a child. The time immediately preceding the birth would be filled with pain and anguish. The birth pains had to come before the baby was introduced to the world. So Jesus had to go through the battle with the ‘prince of this world’ and face the last enemy, ‘death’! But the ‘prince of this world’ had no hold on Him. (John 14:30) The ‘prince of this world’ must be driven out! (John 12:31) This battle would involve the cross for Jesus and the ‘prince of darkness’ would attempt to hold Him in death. However, Jesus would be victorious and emerge from the grave with the keys of death and hell! (Revelation 1:18) He would spoil the principalities and powers of darkness, and make a public show of them openly by the cross! (Colossians 2:15)
When these disciples experienced Jesus in resurrection, their grief would be turned to a joy that no one could take away! They would know God the Father was true and the Gift of the Father would teach them all things. They would understand that death had no hold on them either and live with a new boldness to share the love of God in Christ Jesus! Christ’s victory would assure them of their victory! Are you living in this joy? Why not put your faith in Jesus Christ and experience it for yourself?