Lenten Readings: John 16

Lenten Readings: The two-year Bible reading plan puts the Gospel accounts of Luke and John right between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Whether you're doing the reading plan or not, you can follow along on the blog and read daily meditations based on the accounts of Jesus, whose life and death we remember and cherish during this season of Lent. Check back every day starting on February 14 and until Easter Saturday.

Monday, March 26, 2018
READ John 16
MEDITATE on John 16:20, "Truly, truly, 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." What will we be sorrowful about? What are you sorrowful about now?

REFLECT
Jesus issues sobering words to the disciples before heading to the cross. It wasn't just his looming death that spurred this on, but it was a forecast of future difficulties that the disciples would encounter. We are encountering this. There is injustice, there is persecution, and there is evil in the world. Christians are suffering. There is sorrow.

But we have hope. Jesus promises that our "sorrow will turn into joy." How is this possible? Because God is working through His Spirit and His church to build the Kingdom. We experience God's grace and His goodness. The Kingdom has already come in part, and though not yet complete, it will be fulfilled when Jesus returns. Our sorrow will turn into joy.

The disciples experienced this in what was then the near future: when Jesus died they mourned, but when Jesus was resurrected, they rejoiced. That is the pattern for God's work in bringing revival to us. Let's pray for more revival, even as we deal with the difficulties of life today.

PRAY

Pray for whatever it is that is bringing you sorrow: injustices, lostness, and death. Pray to experience more of the good work that God is doing to bring life where death had reigned.