Hope brings joy. There are different kinds of joy. Day-to-day we can have joy. All the time.
Mountaintop joy:
"They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna![a]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”" John 12:13
Valley of Shadow:
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard." Matthew 27:65-66
They were not just separated by death but also Jesus's body was taken away. There was no chance to grieve over the body. We want to have that last chance with the body often when death occurs.
There are times we let "stones" separate us from Jesus.
"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22
You will suffer but joy will be at the end.
Mountaintop joy again:
"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight."
Luke 24:30-31
"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.'" Luke 24:36
We serve a living God.
Joy in understanding:
"Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45
The disciples had been walking around with Jesus, but they didn't understand the Scriptures till then. Maybe didn't see Him in all of scripture until then?
"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." Luke 24:50-52
Mountaintop of the Spirit:
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:1-4
The joy of knowing this isn't all there is. We have hope to give people. Joy is recognition beyond ourselves. If we look for it, we'll see it. If we seek it we'll find it.
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9
The Joy of Jesus is you and me, us! Saving us!
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11
"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
He will be so joyful when we get there. There will be lots of parties in heaven.
The Mountaintop of Joy to Come:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
This is not our home. Heaven is eternal. When we finish we will be with Jesus. Just keep going till you hit the end.
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
"Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”" Nehemiah 8:10
God is NEVER begrudging with His love!!