Please read John 16:16-33
I once heard, in a sermon,
that it is normal for a baby to be born with its hands open and arms stretched
wide. Also, a child on an average laughs aloud around four hundred times a day.
And of course, the baby and the child grow into adults. Life’s conundrum is by
the time the child gets to be an adult, he or she will laugh only 20 times a
day. Also interestingly, the average
adult on deathbed - born with hands opened and arms outstretched -will die with
fists clenched and arms folded.
Something happens to the baby/child and contrasts emerge in life. (Maybe
we should ask– where does Joy go and when do such contrasts slink into our
lives?)
Over the next few days,
I plan to learn from John 16:16-33. Today we look at contrasts- ironies and contrasts in the Kingdom of God. For example,
Jesus says the humble will be exalted (Luke 18:10-14).
Coming to John 16, earlier in the chapter, Jesus tells us it is
good that he goes away (John 16:7) and in the text he posits, your
sorrow will turn into joy (John 16:20). All this good comes from God through Jesus
– since in Him God’s promises are always a Yes for us (2 Corinthians 1:19-20)
and our joy (will)… be full.
Dear Jesus, through Your Spirit,
comfort me that you will always hold my hand as I walk through the valley, and I am glad You are leading me to a
higher mountain. Amen.
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