“And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.” (Ezra 3:11b-13)

There is great joy in following Jesus Christ. There is also a sorrow which is in the midst of all the joy. Our sorrow comes from our sin and the sins of mankind because we know that the joy of the resurrection comes because of the sorrow of the cross. Joy and sorrow have been evident since the beginning. Throughout Scripture we find many stories which illustrate this truth. One such story is through the returns of the people of God after what is known as the Babylonian Captivity.

The people returned in various times with different leaders, but the first return was led by Ezra. In this return, the order of business was to restore the sacrifices and build the Temple. When the foundation was being laid for the temple, there was great rejoicing with much joy. However, those who remembered the Temple built by Solmon and was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, they wept. They wept because of the sin of the people, which had brought God’s judgment, just as He said it would. The prophet Habakkuk had complained to God about the sin and injustice in the people of Israel. God responded, “I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.” (Habakkuk 1:6) Their weeping included tears of joy, because God had now begun to return the people to their “Promised Land.” The covenant with Abraham was renewed.

Joy and Sorrow are present as the Messiah, Jesus is born. At His birth the angels proclaimed “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord, fulfilling the law that all first born sons were to be consecrated to the Lord. Simeon, who had been told he would see the Lord’s Messiah, said to Mary. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35) The sorrow of Mary would be seen as she watched her son die on a cross. She also knew of her son’s love, as Jesus gave care of His mother to John. “ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27) From this time on Mary would be with John. When Jesus appeared to His Disciples, Mary would be with them. Joy came into a mother’s heart as she saw Jesus, who had risen from the dead.

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ and walk with Him by that faith we also are filled with joy. Peter would tell us, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9) When we know the presence of Jesus in our lives and we have the promise of eternity with Him, we have a joy which can be indescribable. Yet, we also live in a world filled with sin and we have our own sin, as David described, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3) We have a sorrow that the reality of sin brings. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20)

As we live today and look ahead with Jesus, we are filled with joy, but there is an underlying sorrow. Yet, one day we will be in His presence where God has seen our sorrow and will welcome us to His joy. “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:4-5)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block