Joy to the World

John 16:5-7 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. 7 But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you.”
 
THE disciples were very sad. They could not understand why Jesus would leave them. But he had to leave, didn’t he? It was time for the next step in God’s salvation plan for the world – even for you and me today.
   Sin causes sadness. Think of the reasons we mourn: death, broken relationships, disease, and lost opportunities are some. Then consider why these mournful circumstances exist. Grief came into the human heart when Adam and Eve realized their sin. Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
   Shame and guilt are mournful emotions. They separate us from God, and they isolate our hearts from real relationships with God and one another. Such hearts are mournful hearts.
   But rejoice! God teaches us he wants us to be with him. Psalms 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
   The forever faithful Lord Jesus assured his sad disciples that someone marvelous and strong would come to help them. The Savior of the world, the Redeemer of our souls, our eternal Friend Jesus would send a Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will overcome the sadness. He will transform hearts into joy. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17) God’s holiness lost in Eden will again enter human hearts.
   Acts 2-3 records these same despairing disciples become Spirit-empowered, joyful apostles. Yes, it’s true! Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  This and more is what Jesus’ Helper – the Holy Spirit – did for the disciples. He will do and is doing the same for you. Living in Jesus’ resurrection power is a life of joy when you know the Spirit is with you. Are you saved in Jesus’ blood by the Spirit’s power? Then be generous with your salvation. Joyfully live today in a way to show people Jesus is alive! Joy to the world! The Lord is come.