The joy of salvation

May 18, 2021

15:18 – 16:33 Sent into the world, just as Jesus was sent

Read John 16:21-22

Jesus had just told them that their grief at his death “will turn to joy” (16:20) and he went on to illustrate that by comparing it with childbirth (21). Just as the joy of a new-born child far outweighs the memory of the anguish that precedes it, so the grief of Jesus’s death will quickly give way to the joy of his resurrection. But it was not just a case of enduring the grief because it would be only temporary. Rather, the pain of childbirth is itself a sign and a promise that something wonderful is about to happen.

What was that wonderful outcome? Through the suffering and grief of the cross, God’s salvation was about to be birthed. In contrast to the failed mission of Israel (“We gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the world.” Isaiah 26:17-19), Jesus by his death and resurrection would save his people from their sins (Matt.1:21; 1 Pet.2:24; Rom.1:16). So, the resurrection appearances of Jesus to the disciples were the basis of a joy that was not simply the end of grief but the joy of salvation (22; Isaiah 12:3).

No one can take away this kind of joy because it is not dependent on Jesus being physically present or on any circumstances. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials… for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet.1:6,9). What Jesus wants for us is that we will have the full measure of his own joy within us, a joy which is deep and complete (17:13). It is his resurrection that provides the basis for that, and which is experienced when we remain in his love through obedience to his commands (15:10-11).