Unashamed

"You have sorrow now but I will see you again," John 16:22.

Who's talking? Jesus. Who's he talking to? His friends (that's what he called them). And what's with them? They're grieving. Why? Because of death. They're anticipating his death, to be sure. And we all understand death's grief, don't we? But they don't understand resurrection. (but then, who does? we talk about it. we want it. we hope for it. but we don't see it. we don't experience it.) But Jesus does. So he talks about parturition. About a woman's labor. Her agony. Her sorrow. And about her joy when she's delivered the little one. Jesus said it's like that. Death brings deep sorrow. But, Jesus said: I will see you again; no one will take your joy from you. So that's where we are: we're waiting. Waiting to see him in joy. Sky kingdom.

As we look forward to seeing a brother or sister today, just so we anticipate seeing Christ, risen in glory. And, together, we give grateful thanks to God in unashamed hope of joy.