Joy – John 16:16-33 - Rev. Justin Young
Main idea: Jesus secures joy.
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(Complete plan here.)
Has spring sprung?
The lengthening days and warmer weather indicates that spring is growing while winter is fading. No matter how deep, dark, and cold winter was, spring will arrive!
Such a hope-giving season is an appropriate backdrop for reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life.
READ John 11:1-16.
John makes exceedingly clear that Lazarus is sick -- "sick" is mentioned five times in the first six verses! John also makes it clear that Jesus cares deeply for this family (vv. 5, 11). Therefore, it feels odd that Jesus waits "two more days" (v. 6) after he receives news that Lazarus was sick. Nonetheless, Jesus and the disciples eventually make the journey to see Lazarus, Martha, and Mary -- not to die (as Thomas assumes (v. 16)), but to see life spring forth!
READ John 11:17-37.
In his conversation with Martha, Jesus comforts Martha by assuring her that Lazarus "will rise again" (v. 23). This prompts Martha to reference "the resurrection at the last day" (v. 24). But, as we've seen before, Jesus then draws the focus to himself and declares, "I am the resurrection and the life" (v. 25). Powerful evidence of that is only moments away!
READ John 11:38-44.
Despite her conversation with Jesus -- even including a profession of faith (v. 27), Martha reveals that she doesn't fully understand the implications of Jesus being the resurrection and the life when she pushes back on Jesus's call to remove the stone of the tomb (v. 39). But merely by speaking, Jesus displays his resurrecting power as he calls Lazarus out of the tomb (vv. 43-44).
No matter how deep, dark, or cold our sins may be, when we believe in Jesus, we also can experience such resurrecting power: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
PRAY the following aloud as a group:
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer (2019))
READ the following and MEMORIZE four verses:
**"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.** Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:14-18)
SING the Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.