JOY AND SORROW IN LIFE

“In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” – Matthew 3:1-3.

Sorrow and joy are not mutually exclusive. They are not necessarily opposites that cancel each other out, but rather can co-exist and even be interwoven. People can experience both happiness and sadness simultaneously.

John the Baptist experienced both joy and sorrow. He experienced a profound joy in knowing he was preparing the way for the Messiah. This joy was also present in the womb, as he “leapt for joy” when Jesus was near (Luke 1:44). However, he also experienced sorrow, particularly during his imprisonment and execution.

In the lead-up to Jesus’ birth, John the Baptist is one of the most vital characters, promised as a forerunner to the Messiah.  John preaches to the crowds in eye-catching outfits, and his diet is more than a little interesting. He talks about another way to joy, a way that is found in Jesus the Messiah, who has come and will come again. He proclaims that Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” and “the Son of God”. In Mark 1: 7-8 (RSV) he says, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In John 3:29,  John the Baptist who is speaking uses the metaphor of a wedding to illustrate his role and the role of Jesus. He identifies himself as the “friend of the bridegroom” (Jesus) and expresses his joy in the bridegroom’s (Jesus’) voice and presence. ”It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.” There must have been a joyous time to witness Jesus’ ministry and the fulfillment of his role as the Messiah’s forerunner.

But that joy turned to sorrow when his life took a distressing turn. King Herod had him arrested and placed in a dark prison cell.  In short order. Herod had him beheaded. John’s disciples have kept him informed about what’s been happening in the outside world, but in the darkness of his prison cell, John has begun to have serious doubts.  Had he been mistaken regarding what he had once been so certain, that Jesus was the long-awaited messiah?  He is tempted to despair.  And so he sends a delegation of his followers to Jesus with a simple, understated question:  “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3).

Jesus does not rebuke John the Baptist for asking the question. If John had doubts, Jesus’ response demonstrates the caring and tender way He handles wavering faith. “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor” (Matthew 11:4–5). All the works that John’s disciples witnessed that day indicated that Jesus was the chosen One.

Discussion questions:

1. What lessons have you learned through sorrow and suffering?  Have you ever experienced a time when pain sharpened your character?
2. Have you ever seen someone who was suffering extraordinarily but demonstrated extraordinary confidence in God? If so, how did it change the way you think about suffering and faith?