Joy #40: Joy & Sorrow Now

Remember when we talked about the phrase “fullness of joy” (#32) which Jesus used in the gospel of John? I was floored to discover that despite Jesus’ desires for their joy, the disciples at that very moment were “full of sorrow!” How do we make sense of this?

Can they… Do they… coexist? Are they supposed to?

*After the first group returns to Jerusalem after exile, the people begin to build a new temple. After the foundation is laid, they get together for a celebration. There are joyful shouts of praise! Yet, the older priests, (who knew the former temple) wept with loud voices. “…The people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people…” (Ezra 3:10-13)

*Job wishes God would crush him, but rejoices in the midst of his pain that he has not denied God. (Job 6:8-10)

*We are told to rejoice with those who are happy and mourn with those who are sorrowing. (Romans 12:15)

]*Paul overflows with joy in affliction because he hears how his letter to the Corinthians lead to sorrowful repentance. (2 Cor. 7:4-16)

*The Thessalonians received the Word in the midst of great tribulation, with joy from the Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 1:6)

So yes! Sorrow and joy can co-exist now… yet there is a difference between worldly sorrow without hope (and thus no joy), and godly sorrow over sin and trials (where joy can also flourish.) More to come...