Where Grief & Gladness Meet + Dr. Gavin Ortlund Tonight at Immanuel!
At the cross of Jesus, grief and gladness are not at odds—they work together to bring us hope.
“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
Real life is a mixture of experiences where joy and sorrow may find themselves tugging at the same heart—sometimes at the exact moment. For example, the joy of seeing your kids leave home to start a career may, at the same time, be mingled with the sorrow of their absence. So often, we face the tension of competing emotional dispositions. But the Bible never asks us to flatten one out with the other. It doesn’t imagine that we should be stoics, nor does it leave us to despair. Instead, the Bible validates both our grief and our joy. Even more, the Bible shows where joy and sorrow are held together perfectly. We see that in Jesus.
The prophet Isaiah identifies Jesus as a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). Jesus tasted the deepest sorrows imaginable. And at the same time, he tasted the deepest joys. Both of these realities came together at the cross in his experience—for the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross. At the cross, Jesus experienced both grief and joy together. There was the felt joy of saving us, and there was the felt agony of God’s wrath. His joy was real but did not insulate him from pain. His pain was real but did not hinder his joy. At the cross, his joy and sorrow worked together for our sake. For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross. His joy and endurance gave us life. So, there is one place in the universe where joy and sorrow lead to hope: at the cross of Jesus. Look to him. He knows. He sympathizes. And he cares.
Dr. Gavin Ortlund Tonight in Sadler Chapel…
Adults - Join us tonight at 6:30 pm in the SADLER CHAPEL as Dr. Gavin Ortlund answers the question: How can I receive peace from God in anxiety? Please come to Sadler from the steps on 44th Avenue. Wheelchair access to Sadler is available via the ramp off Park Avenue. All are welcome!
City Groups - Students are encouraged to join us tonight in the gym for City Groups! Doors open at 6 pm, Bible study starts at 6:45 pm, and will wrap up by 7:45 pm.
iKids Midweek - Wednesday night classes are open for ages two and up. We would love to have your kids join us for Bible study and scripture memorization tonight from 6:15-7:30 pm!
ON THE HORIZON
Marriage Foundations - If you are considering marriage, engaged, or are young in your marriage, join us for our next Marriage Foundations Seminar. It will be held on Saturday, August 23, from 9 am to 1 pm in the cafe. Lunch will be provided. Register here.
Hallelujah! Truly!