🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 218

Jesus Gives Joy That Sorrow Cannot Take Away

📖 “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”
—John 16:22 (NKJV)

The disciples were troubled. Jesus had told them that He was going away, but they did not yet understand what He meant. They did not know that He would soon be arrested, crucified, buried, and then raised from the dead.

Jesus knew that the coming days would be very difficult for them.

He told them, “You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful” (John 16:20, NKJV).

When Jesus was crucified, His disciples would grieve. Their Lord and Teacher would be taken from them. Some of the people who opposed Jesus would celebrate because they believed they had defeated Him.

But their celebration would not last.

Jesus promised His disciples, “Your sorrow will be turned into joy” (John 16:20, NKJV).

Notice that Jesus did not say the disciples would never experience sorrow. He did not tell them that faith would prevent every painful moment. Instead, He promised that their sorrow would not have the final word.

Jesus would rise from the dead.

The disciples would see Him again, and their hearts would rejoice. The cross would no longer appear to be the end of their hope. They would understand that Jesus had willingly given His life for sinners and had conquered death through His resurrection.

Their sorrow would be transformed by what God had done.

Jesus compared this change to a mother giving birth. There is pain during labor, but when her child is born, sorrow gives way to joy. The pain was real, but it was not the end of the story.

You will also experience sadness in this life.

You may lose something you value. Someone you love may move away. A friend may disappoint you. You may pray about something and not receive the answer you hoped for. Following Jesus does not mean pretending that painful things do not hurt.

The Bible never tells you to call sorrow joy.

Jesus Himself wept when Lazarus died (John 11:35). He understands grief and does not shame you for feeling sad.

But sorrow is not hopeless for someone who belongs to Christ.

Jesus rose from the dead, and everyone who believes in Him has eternal life. He has promised to return for His people. One day, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).

Until then, you can bring every sadness to Jesus.

You may still cry. You may not immediately understand why something happened. The difficult situation may not quickly change. But beneath your sorrow rests a joy the world cannot give and cannot take away.

Jesus is alive.

He is with His people.

He keeps His promises.

And because He rose from the dead, sorrow will never have the final word.

Knowing Christ does not mean I will never be sad. It means that even when I am sad, I have hope.

My joy rests in the risen Savior.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins and rising from the dead. When I am sad, help me bring my sorrow honestly to You. Remind me that feeling sad does not mean I have stopped trusting You. Help me remember that You are alive, You are with Your people, and You always keep Your promises. Give me joy rooted in who You are—a joy that suffering, disappointment, and loss cannot take away. Amen.