MEDITATION OF THE DAY( Scripture: John 16: 20-23)
THEME:There may be difficult times ahead of us but after the suffering will come joy.

Jesus tells His disciples there are difficult times ahead but after the suffering will come joy. The dawning of the gift of the knowledge of salvation must be the most joyous experience anyone can have. The disciples witnessed this whole process first hand when they saw Jesus die and then resurrected. What a privilege this must have been for them. Undoubtedly this would have inspired them to do great things for the Gospel.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to weep and lament and be sorrowful? Jesus was neither a pessimist nor a masochist, and he was certainly more than a realist! The way to happiness and joy in the kingdom of God is through the cross. Sin must be brought to the cross of Jesus Christ and evil can only be completely mastered by the power of God's redeeming love. Jesus told his disciples that it was more blessed to mourn for sin because it would yield the fruit of peace, joy, and righteousness. Jesus knew that the cross would be a stumbling block for those who refused to believe in him.

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, we are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song. May we radiate the joy of Easter and live in the reality of Christ's victory over sin and death."