Jesus is speaking here about life in the kingdom. Its citizens are noted for their deep, abiding joy. Is this not incompatible with Jesus’ clear teaching that as members of His kingdom we will suffer? Hear His hard words: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19).


That sounds morose, but its rewards are overflowing, uncontained and uninhibited joy. In the book of Hebrews we read, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2). That illuminates our verse for today. Peter writes, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6). Even after or through great heartache and sorrow, what remains for those in Christ’s kingdom is joy!