In this sermon, as we continue our Advent series, we reflected on Jesus' teaching that true joy is not found in the absence of sorrow, but in the transformation of sorrow through His presence. In John 16:20–24, Jesus prepares His disciples—and us—for a life in which weeping and rejoicing coexist. He promises that our sorrow will turn into joy, not be ignored or replaced by it. We confronted the idol of comfort, which offers quick relief but often keeps us from the very places where God forms deep, lasting joy. Jesus invites us into a joy that cannot be taken away—a joy rooted not in our circumstances, but in Him. This joy allows us to live with eyes open to the sadness of the world while remaining anchored in the hope of the resurrection. As we depend on Jesus through prayer and honest engagement with our sorrow, we discover a joy that endures, grows, and ultimately prevails—joy that holds space for sadness.
