3rd Easter

Introduction

Main Point: Today’s scripture wants us to meditate on the resurrection theme of imperishable joy in this life.

Let us look at today’s text.

Over the past few weeks, our lectionary wrapped up the season of by focusing first on the passion of Jesus and then looking at the resurrection narratives for Easter. That makes sense, on Easter Sunday you look at the Easter accounts.

Then the lectionary rewinds the script to look at portions of the Gospels proclaiming Easter themes. Last week we looked at the Good Shephard discourses by Jesus. Jesus says these words before his crucifixion and resurrection. But the words are tied into Easter themes.

Again this week we are looking at the words of Jesus to his Disciples as he is teaching leading up to his passion and resurrection, yet in our church calendar, we read them after the celebration of those two events. So what is it in Chapter 16 that are so Eastery that we should reflect on them in the Easter season? And the Anwer is in the headline. “Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy.” Let us look closer.

Verse 16: First they will not see Jesus then they will. You have two options here you can assume that Jesus is referring to his time in the tomb followed by his resurrection. Or you can assume that he is speaking about his ascension into heaven and then his return at the end of all things. I would contend it is the first thing, Jesus is referring to his death and burial followed by his resurrection.

And if you are thinking that it lacks clarity, you are not alone verses 17 and 19 records the side conversations of the disciples trying to figure out what he means and how Jesus anticipates it starts to dive into their questions.

So verse 20a Jesus offers some clarifying words.

Verse 16 says you will not see me and verse 20 explains that it will bring weeping and joy

It also explains that the world will get great joy out of not seeing Jesus. If this was describing the ascension of Jesus that would not be a source of weeping for disciples and of rejoicing for the world.

Verse 20b you will be sorrowful, but that sorrow will turn into joy.

Verse 21 a parable with no narrative arc

Like a woman giving birth…

Not just pulled from the air…there are several places in the OT that use childbirth as a metaphor for the coming of God’s kingdom

Jesus is reminding us that there is a great trial in giving birth but once it is over such joy. I have witnessed to this and know how true it is. Even the late nites of those first few years and the spitting up on your favorite shire and on and on, then all a sudden…do you want to have another one?

Won't see/will see, weeping into rejoiceing, sorrow into joy, Pain of birth into the joy of children.

Verse 22 So just like labor starts with hardship…you have sorrow now, but I will see you again. Back to verse 16 where it is about seeing and not seeing Jesus says we will see each other. And your hearts will rejoice and no one will be able to take it from you.

That is everlasting joy. Stable joy. Not a joy that hardships do exist, a joy that is able to overwhelm hardship.

Today’s scripture wants us to meditate on the resurrection theme of “imperishable joy in this life.”

Now usually when diving into Bible passages like this I think through what sanctifying principle is at work here. How should we be morally transformed? Not today. I do not want to shame anyone in their sorrow into faking a smile, into pretending to be satisfied. I do not want to minimize any grief with platitudes.

Instead, I would remind us all of what the resurrection has given us in light of our griefs. I know that when I am in Anglican circles the people I meet are not as connected to contemporary Christian music as I am just having come out of more evangelical circles. There was a song a couple of years ago by David Crowder that I find helpful in conceiving of Joy in the midst of sorrow

Song Lyrics

The resurrection is the proof that the reunion of heaven and earth has taken place. If heaven is the place where God dwells and where all the sorrows of this life are healed then Jesus who is the place where God dwells among is that Heaven. The resurrection is proof that the creature and creature are together again once more. Not only that but it is proof that we will also experience it as coheirs with Christ. It is the reversing of the curse in Eden

Do you feel alone, isolated in a world that is isolating? Our fellowship and intimacy with God lost in Eden is reversed in the resurrection. Is your joy stolen by illness, your or loved one’s. The resurrection is the proof that illness is conquered in heaven. Are you afraid, anxious, nervous that your foes will have the last word against you? The resurrection is the proof that Jesus can vanquish any foe. Are you in mourning, does death steal from you your joy? Jesus has conquered death and has walked out of the tomb. Yes these sorrow are with us in this life, but they do not get the last say. Yes, these are real sorrows, but Jesus promises us that your sorrow will be made into joy.

Today’s scripture wants us to meditate on the resurrection theme of “imperishable joy in this life.”

And let us for a moment consider the alternative offered by the world we live in.

Great advances in medicine that you and I have been the benefactors of. Yes the medicine for depression can help with the symptoms of our lonely isolating world, but offers no cure. Financial security can help keeps our fears at bay, but not all people have access to wealth and wealth does not last forever, not can if remedy the human soul. Treatments for disease can keep us alive longer than at any time in recent history but none of us escapes death. We can numb the pain through the pursuit of pleasure. Lavish vacations comfortable retirements, and mind-altering substances, but those only distract us from the inevitable. Only the Gospel with is news of Resurrection can cure what ails us, only Jesus conquors sin and death.

And speaking of death let us not forget what it cost our Lord to give us this great gift. We all deserve Death, the sorrows of this life are but a fortaste of wages of sin, everlasting death. Jesus takes our everlasting death on his shoulders so that we might have his everlasting life.

Hear also what Saint John saith.: If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins.

Today’s scripture wants us to meditate on the resurrection theme of “imperishable joy in this life.”

Come out of sadness

From wherever you've been

Come broken hearted

Let rescue begin

Come find your mercy

Oh sinner come kneel

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

There's hope for the hopeless

And all those who've strayed

Come sit at the table

Come taste the grace

There's rest for the weary

Rest that endures

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't cure

There's joy for the morning

Oh sinner be still

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal