Sorrow to Joy

There is debate as to what Jesus means when He says a little while, and you will see me no longer…and you will see me. The words for see are different, John using theoreo first and orao second. Whenever John uses similar terms in close proximity, he seems to intend a nuanced usage. Some think that Jesus is speaking of His death and resurrection appearances. That reading seems plain enough in the English, and certainly is a possibility.

Others hold that Jesus is referring to His ascension and second coming. Timing can be relative depending on who is giving the time, and certainly if a thousand years is as a day to the Lord, the time period of the church could be a little while.

Contextually, vv.25-28 seem to indicate that Jesus’ departure refer to His ascension, and the previous material dealing with the coming paraclete could hint at the Spirit being the way in which the disciples will see Him again.

Nevertheless, the confusion of the disciples sets the rest of the passage in motion. (John 16:17 “So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?””) The disciples’ confusion is emphasized by the fact that they kept on asking among themselves these questions. The fact of the matter is that they simply weren’t “there yet.” They didn’t grasp everything that Jesus was doing.

While there have been mild rebukes in the Farewell Address, Jesus has dealt gently with the disciples, shepherding them in this difficult time. (John 16:19 “Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’?”) It seems that when Jesus’ followers have confusion, Jesus readily attends to them and addresses their need.

I’m not sure where you’re at this morning regarding what Jesus is up to in your life. I’d be willing to be that there is more than one person this morning dealing with fear or worry or sorrow or even just questions regarding what Jesus is up to in their life. Jesus doesn’t reject that, but welcomes you to come.

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Matthew 11:28–29 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Now, let me make sure I explain what I’m not saying…I’m not saying that when we come to Jesus, everything will just magically work it’s self out. It doesn’t work that way. Notice even in this passage that Jesus doesn’t give them answer to what troubles them…He redirects them. In essence, Jesus says, “Here’s where you’re focusing, but let this be the thing that grounds you and centers you and provides stability even in the difficulties. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you all just need to know this: what I’m doing…when it’s all finished…you’ll have a joy that nothing in this world can take from you.”

This is the emphasis of John 16:20 (“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”) Of course, the disciples will weep and lament at the death of Christ, and likely again as He departs from this world, but their mourning will soon turn to joy, for the death and resurrection of Christ will provide for their forgiveness, and His ascension will guarantee the coming of His Spirit, granting spiritual life. Further, what the world would once count as a victory — the death of Christ and then His absence from the world — would actually be their defeat. In this, Jesus doesn’t necessarily clarify the “little while” comment. Instead, He redirects the disciples. Do not focus on that, simply understand that what Christ does will turn sorrow into joy.

Nonetheless, Jesus doubles down on His point: sorrow will turn to joy. He uses the illustration of childbirth to emphasize His point. (Flesh out the illustration — even anecdotally/jokingly share moms seeing a baby and saying, “Awe, maybe just one more?!” while dads are like, “Don’t you remember?!”)

John 16:22 “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Ultimately, Jesus is telling the disciples (whether we take a “death and resurrection” approach or an “ascension and return” approach) that He is about to finally and fully accomplish His mission. This provides hope and joy, hope beyond reason and joy that is deeper and more concrete and real than even the world we live in.

Hope beyond reason…

Joy that is deeper than this world…

John 16:23 “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

The two words for ask in this verse are not the same, and some draw attention to this distinction. The first word could relate to inquiring information of someone else, whereas the second relates to asking for favor or help.

There’s coming a day when the disciples will have no need to ask Jesus about anything. Understanding this verse really does hinge on understanding the two words used for ask. The first word typically refers to asking a question while the second is used religiously for asking in prayer. If this distinction is maintained, then Jesus is indicating that disciples will have no need to ask Him questions in the coming days in order to clarify things like the meaning of phrases. But, they will eventually ask of the Father for help and favor.

There is participation in the life of God that brings both joy and a reality in our practice. There is coming a time when the disciples will ask nothing of Jesus, but they will have direct access to the Father through the finished work of Jesus (Jesus becomes the mediator as we ask in His name.) There is access directly to the Father through Christ the Son. (John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” and Hebrews 10:19–22 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”) Why does access to the Father bring such joy? It’s the culmination of salvation history. From the beginning, this was the promise, for God’s creation and for mankind to be brought back to a right relationship with God the Father.

Jesus says (vs.24), up until this point, you have asked nothing in my name. Why would the disciples ask the Father in Jesus’ name? He has walked with them and taught them personally, He Himself being God. However, when He returns to the Father, believers will direct their prayers to the Father through a restored relationship and new mediator, Christ our great High Priest. In that day, believers will ask in Jesus name, that is asking in a way that honors Christ, that He would be pleased to answer, and that aligns with the Father’s will. When we ask this way, we will receive. Seeing the completion of God’s will brings joy that is full.

Here’s the cumulative idea, the summary if you will, of this passage:

Rejoice in Jesus’ Accomplished Mission.

Jesus has accomplished His mission. The hour had arrived. Just a little while longer and it would all be finished. Forty more days, give or take, and Jesus is back at the right hand of the Father. Ten days after that, the Spirit comes. And in the grand scheme of eternity, just a few more days and we see our Savior face-to-face. 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” There is reason to joy…we can have a settled contentment because the victory is Christ’s and the fear of death has been removed. This life is but a vapor, here today and tomorrow gone. After that, the forever joys of eternity!

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 ““O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

What is this world and all of its temptation, trial, and pain? It is but the fertile soil that teaches our heart to long for that which is to come!

Rejoice in Jesus Providing Access to the Father.

His completed mission has given us a restored relationship with the Father.

Is your relationship with the Father restored? (SHARE THE GOSPEL)

Rejoice in Answered Prayer.

Because we now have a restored relationship with the Father and a mediator in Jesus, the Son, we have answered prayer. And…the joy isn’t found in having our every wish granted, but in asking in the name of our Savior, in His stead, as if He were asking, conformed to His desires and will, that brings us joy as we see the will of our good and loving heavenly Father move in this broken world.

To find this joy, the Spirit must settle in our hearts that (Matthew 7:11) “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” and (Hebrews 11:6) “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

We must also be convinced that (Psalm 63:3) “…your steadfast love is better than life…”

And, that His plan is (Romans 12:2) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

When we find joy in this, the fact that Jesus fully accomplished His mission, that we have access to the Father, and that being conformed to His will, we see Him mightily work in this world, then we have a joy that is both permanent and full as we await the day we see Him face to face. Where do we find joy, and in what…do we trust…this morning?