Sadness, joy, sadness, joy

by Pastor Jim Strelan

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial’ (John 12:7).

Read John 12:1–11

Here we are at the six last days before Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples and was betrayed. He is with friends Mary and Martha and … yes, Lazarus, whose presence is mostly overlooked as we recall this story. But here he is. The once-dead, now-alive Lazarus. The one whose death caused so much sorrow, so much that even Jesus was overwhelmed with grief as he saw how torn apart Lazarus’ family and friends were at his dying. Not long ago, they had anointed his body, wrapped it in cloth and placed it in a tomb. And now, Lazarus sits with his sisters and Jesus, sharing a meal. His aliveness caused issues for the chief priests – ‘on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him’ (verse 11).

And now, Mary is aware that her good friend Jesus will soon go down the same path. He will die and be buried, and they will grieve all over again. (We can’t be sure whether Mary is actually ‘aware’ or whether Jesus gives meaning to her actions. But it doesn’t matter. It has the same significance.)

Death and life and death again. Sorrow and joy and sorrow again. Isn’t that how it is? Have you ever been to a funeral, feeling torn apart by the death of a loved one, only to find someone in your immediate circle who is pregnant and about to give birth to a new life in a few days? It happens, and your emotions are so mixed. Your sorrow is devastating, yet this new life can’t help but bring joy.

I don’t know how it is for you when we go through Passion Week year after year. I get caught up in the terrible sadness of it all. Tears are often close to the surface. But I can’t fully immerse myself in that sadness because I know the ending. And that ending brings joy, a word different from ‘happiness’. It’s deep-seated. It’s joy despite – or maybe even because – of the sadness. Mary has experienced some of that with her dear brother and will experience it again with her dear friend.

Sadness, joy, sadness, joy. That’s how it goes.

Jesus, our lives are so mixed up with all the contrasting experiences that impact us. You know about these things. Keep us focused on the promises of your word that you are with us always and will bring us through. Amen.

• Click here to read previous devotions.
• We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
• Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.