John 16:16-24
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 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. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Reflection
Jesus anticipated the disciples’ sorrow (John 16:20, 22) but he also promised great joy—similar to the transformation of pain into joy when a mother gives birth to a child (v. 21). Sorrow will come with the death of Christ, but joy will arrive with the resurrection.
This same joy has been given to Christians today, even though we haven’t seen Jesus with our physical eyes (1 Pet. 1:8). The resurrection of Christ has given us a “living hope” (1 Pet. 1:3) that enables us to endure the complexities, changes, and challenges of this perishing world. Christ’s resurrection assures us that we have a guarantee beyond this troubled world—an eternal inheritance that is kept in heaven for us (1 Pet. 1:4). Our joy and comfort will be sustained as we set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us when Christ returns (1 Pet. 1:13).
James 2:8-13
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Reflection
Partiality is not a minor sin; it violates the principle that God shows no partiality. He judges all by the same law, and by the same grace he redeems everyone whose faith rests in the Lord Jesus alone (James 2:1). Further, all sins are major, since sin is a violation of the law of God. Disobedience to even one law is a crime against the King and Lord of all, and therefore everyone deserves judgment without mercy. Yet the gospel tells us that those who believe in Christ will not receive what they deserve —through Christ, “mercy triumphs over judgment” (v. 13). If Christ has dealt mercifully with us, our lives should be marked with an eagerness to demonstrate his mercy to others.
Psalm 111:4
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Continue praying for a heart of mercy toward others. Ask God to help you keep forgiving those who sin against you, entrusting all judgment to the One who ensures perfect justice in the end.