Easter 4 - Jubilate April 21, 2024
John 16:16-22
Joy in Jesus’ (Time)
V.20 Amen, Amen, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Dear friends in Christ, this Sunday in the church year is well named - Jubilate! - Joy! Especially for us in our small parish as we were blessed to welcome Six new members today– two children and four adults–into our family of faith! What joy! What blessing!
Some have great joy in seeing the Lord’s promises fulfilled and worked in the hearts of family and friends–sometimes after years of prayer and conversation. Joy in being blessed to witness the working of the Holy Spirit on a person’s heart through the power of the Word of God. Joy in witnessing the fruit of faith grow and mature in peoples’ lives.
Others have joy in finding a church home with other believers who desire to hold fast to God’s Word despite the pressures of Satan and the world. Indeed, this is something in which we all should rejoice–having a family of faith that actually takes God’s Word seriously and will exhort and encourage one another to remain true to Christ and His Word of Truth and Grace.
We all have great joy in being blessed to know that six more souls have joined our fellowship this day–six more lambs of God have been brought into our sheepfold–six more people to love and to cherish–to encourage and be encouraged by–it fills our hearts to bursting–especially knowing that three of those six have received the life-giving waters of Holy Baptism and have had all their sins washed away in the cleansing tide of Christ’s blood.
Furthermore, another four will join us this day for the first time in receiving the Lord’s Supper–the very body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. They will join us in our public confession of the Lord’s death and resurrection and receive with great joy the gift of His body and blood–being strengthened as we are to face the sometimes difficult trials and tribulations that Christians are called to endure this side of glory.
Indeed, we cannot forget that there are those in this world who will delight in bringing sorrow to God’s people. In our text, Jesus warned His disciples that this very thing would happen. He told them that they would experience sorrow–great sorrow–weeping and wailing–hearts torn to pieces–while the world would rejoice with great joy.
Of what does Jesus speak? His looming crucifixion–less than 24 hours away. The Jewish leaders and their followers would clap and shout with glee at the death of Jesus–that troublesome itinerant Rabbi who had caused them so much grief and embarrassment with His miracles and rather pointed teachings, which made them look bad. “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.”
While the world was rejoicing, the disciples would have great sorrow at the unjust death of their Master and Lord. The grief would be overwhelming, standing in stark contrast to so many others who would rejoice with great joy–the Sadducees and Pharisees and their followers–who had plotted and devised Jesus’ death.
But their sorrow–their grief–their lamentation–would only last but a little while, Jesus promises. “A little while and you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me.” They would have great sorrow at not seeing Jesus–for He would suffer and die and be buried. But then–in just a little while–three short days!--their sorrow would turn into joy? How? Why? Because they would see Jesus again–for He would be raised from the dead–Easter joy would fill their hearts where formerly there had been only grief and despair. This is the promise of great joy that the Resurrection of Jesus brings, dear friends.
For though sorrow, lamentation, trial, tribulation, even persecution may come our way, yet we have hope and joy in the resurrection of Jesus. For by His death He has destroyed death and the power of sin over us. By His glorious resurrection, He promises life and eternal salvation to all who believe. For by faith we have overcome the world. We rest secure in the love of God. As John writes in our epistle (1 John 3:1), “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” Beloved, you are God’s children–every one of you–by virtue of your faith in Jesus. He who has died and risen again for you!
Yes, Jesus has now Ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father–a position of power and glory by which He rules over the universe and His church. We may be sorrowful because we do not see Him here with us, but He promises that we will see Him again–in a little while–when He comes in glory to Judge the living and the dead–and to take us to heaven with Him where there will be only perpetual joy and gladness in His presence.
How do we know that we will see Him again? How do we know that we will be worthy to enter into His kingdom of joy? After all, when we look at our lives, we often see only great sin that clings to us still. We remember with sorrow the times we have broken God’s Word and hurt our neighbours–our family and friends. Our sin clings to us like filthy rags. We know that we do not deserve to enter God’s holy presence. But hear once more the words of St. John from our epistle (1 John 3:3), “And everyone who thus hopes in Him [Jesus] purifies himself as He is pure.”
You are NOT worthy of God’s gifts. You do NOT deserve His peace. You are not pure in and of yourself. Your purity–your cleansing of all sin–comes not from anything that you do–but solely by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. Hope in Him, beloved. Hope in He who died and rose again for you! By faith in Christ Jesus all your sins are wiped away–and your sorrow and grief will turn into perpetual joy that NO ONE can ever take away from you. For you are pure and holy in God’s sight! So (LSB 685 st.2), “Let us suffer here with Jesus And with patience bear our cross. Joy will follow all our sadness; Where He is, there is no loss. Though today we sow no laughter, We shall reap celestial joy; All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter. Jesus, here I share your woe; Help me there Your joy to know.”
You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus outpoured on the cross for you. He who bled and died for you has now risen from the dead and lives and reigns in glory for all eternity. What can the world or Satan do to you now? They have no power over Him–He has conquered them with His suffering and death. And so they have no power over any who are in Him–who hope in His blood and mercy to cover over every sin. As stanza 7 of our first Communion hymn (LSB 633) so beautifully puts it, “Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy; From sin’s pow’r, Lord, set us free, Newborn souls in You to be. Alleluia!”
Beloved, remember this great promise from our Lord all the days of your life. “A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” You see Jesus with eyes of faith every time you hear His Word proclaimed and read it at home. You see Jesus in the washing of Holy Baptism and each week you receive His body and blood in, with, and under bread and wine for the forgiveness of all your sins.
Therefore, worry not over any sorrow or lamentation that may come your way. For you have the peace and joy that comes from the resurrection of Jesus. And He further promises, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
John 16:16-22
Joy in Jesus’ (Time)
V.20 Amen, Amen, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Dear friends in Christ, this Sunday in the church year is well named - Jubilate! - Joy! Especially for us in our small parish as we were blessed to welcome Six new members today– two children and four adults–into our family of faith! What joy! What blessing!
Some have great joy in seeing the Lord’s promises fulfilled and worked in the hearts of family and friends–sometimes after years of prayer and conversation. Joy in being blessed to witness the working of the Holy Spirit on a person’s heart through the power of the Word of God. Joy in witnessing the fruit of faith grow and mature in peoples’ lives.
Others have joy in finding a church home with other believers who desire to hold fast to God’s Word despite the pressures of Satan and the world. Indeed, this is something in which we all should rejoice–having a family of faith that actually takes God’s Word seriously and will exhort and encourage one another to remain true to Christ and His Word of Truth and Grace.
We all have great joy in being blessed to know that six more souls have joined our fellowship this day–six more lambs of God have been brought into our sheepfold–six more people to love and to cherish–to encourage and be encouraged by–it fills our hearts to bursting–especially knowing that three of those six have received the life-giving waters of Holy Baptism and have had all their sins washed away in the cleansing tide of Christ’s blood.
Furthermore, another four will join us this day for the first time in receiving the Lord’s Supper–the very body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. They will join us in our public confession of the Lord’s death and resurrection and receive with great joy the gift of His body and blood–being strengthened as we are to face the sometimes difficult trials and tribulations that Christians are called to endure this side of glory.
Indeed, we cannot forget that there are those in this world who will delight in bringing sorrow to God’s people. In our text, Jesus warned His disciples that this very thing would happen. He told them that they would experience sorrow–great sorrow–weeping and wailing–hearts torn to pieces–while the world would rejoice with great joy.
Of what does Jesus speak? His looming crucifixion–less than 24 hours away. The Jewish leaders and their followers would clap and shout with glee at the death of Jesus–that troublesome itinerant Rabbi who had caused them so much grief and embarrassment with His miracles and rather pointed teachings, which made them look bad. “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.”
While the world was rejoicing, the disciples would have great sorrow at the unjust death of their Master and Lord. The grief would be overwhelming, standing in stark contrast to so many others who would rejoice with great joy–the Sadducees and Pharisees and their followers–who had plotted and devised Jesus’ death.
But their sorrow–their grief–their lamentation–would only last but a little while, Jesus promises. “A little while and you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me.” They would have great sorrow at not seeing Jesus–for He would suffer and die and be buried. But then–in just a little while–three short days!--their sorrow would turn into joy? How? Why? Because they would see Jesus again–for He would be raised from the dead–Easter joy would fill their hearts where formerly there had been only grief and despair. This is the promise of great joy that the Resurrection of Jesus brings, dear friends.
For though sorrow, lamentation, trial, tribulation, even persecution may come our way, yet we have hope and joy in the resurrection of Jesus. For by His death He has destroyed death and the power of sin over us. By His glorious resurrection, He promises life and eternal salvation to all who believe. For by faith we have overcome the world. We rest secure in the love of God. As John writes in our epistle (1 John 3:1), “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” Beloved, you are God’s children–every one of you–by virtue of your faith in Jesus. He who has died and risen again for you!
Yes, Jesus has now Ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father–a position of power and glory by which He rules over the universe and His church. We may be sorrowful because we do not see Him here with us, but He promises that we will see Him again–in a little while–when He comes in glory to Judge the living and the dead–and to take us to heaven with Him where there will be only perpetual joy and gladness in His presence.
How do we know that we will see Him again? How do we know that we will be worthy to enter into His kingdom of joy? After all, when we look at our lives, we often see only great sin that clings to us still. We remember with sorrow the times we have broken God’s Word and hurt our neighbours–our family and friends. Our sin clings to us like filthy rags. We know that we do not deserve to enter God’s holy presence. But hear once more the words of St. John from our epistle (1 John 3:3), “And everyone who thus hopes in Him [Jesus] purifies himself as He is pure.”
You are NOT worthy of God’s gifts. You do NOT deserve His peace. You are not pure in and of yourself. Your purity–your cleansing of all sin–comes not from anything that you do–but solely by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. Hope in Him, beloved. Hope in He who died and rose again for you! By faith in Christ Jesus all your sins are wiped away–and your sorrow and grief will turn into perpetual joy that NO ONE can ever take away from you. For you are pure and holy in God’s sight! So (LSB 685 st.2), “Let us suffer here with Jesus And with patience bear our cross. Joy will follow all our sadness; Where He is, there is no loss. Though today we sow no laughter, We shall reap celestial joy; All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter. Jesus, here I share your woe; Help me there Your joy to know.”
You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus outpoured on the cross for you. He who bled and died for you has now risen from the dead and lives and reigns in glory for all eternity. What can the world or Satan do to you now? They have no power over Him–He has conquered them with His suffering and death. And so they have no power over any who are in Him–who hope in His blood and mercy to cover over every sin. As stanza 7 of our first Communion hymn (LSB 633) so beautifully puts it, “Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy; From sin’s pow’r, Lord, set us free, Newborn souls in You to be. Alleluia!”
Beloved, remember this great promise from our Lord all the days of your life. “A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” You see Jesus with eyes of faith every time you hear His Word proclaimed and read it at home. You see Jesus in the washing of Holy Baptism and each week you receive His body and blood in, with, and under bread and wine for the forgiveness of all your sins.
Therefore, worry not over any sorrow or lamentation that may come your way. For you have the peace and joy that comes from the resurrection of Jesus. And He further promises, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.