The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-two of his book John shared how Jesus told His disciples, “you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice” where we read:
And you now therefore have sorrow:
but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
The verse reads, “And you now therefore have sorrow:” John began with the words, “and you now therefore” which means “and you, disciples of Jesus, at this time and moment then, wherefore, consequently and on this account” “have sorrow” or “possess pain, grief, annoyance and affliction”. John shared how Jesus told His disciple they would possess “grief and pain” at this time.
The verse goes on to say, “but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.” John continued with the words, “but I will see you again” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Jesus, will behold, look upon and observe you, disciples of Jesus another time”, “and your heart shall rejoice” which means “and your, disciples of Jesus', soul and mind that are the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”, “and your joy” or “and your, disciples of Jesus', gladness, calm delight and cheerfulness” “no man takes from you” which means “not one person whether male or female removes or carries away apart from you, disciples of Jesus”. John shared how Jesus told His disciples they would “look upon” Him another time after they had “sorrow”, and their “souls and minds” would have exceeding great “joy” that no one would be able to “carry away” from them.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus comforted His disciples by letting them know they would have “grief and pain” for a while, but afterward they would have “exceeding joy” that no one could take away. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they yield to Him, Jesus will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with God in Heaven. As King David the prophet wrote, “For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (See Psalm 30:5)
Next time John shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “in that day you shall ask me nothing”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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