Joy>Sorrow

A Leading Statement verse 16

Jesus changes the subject

Previously, He was discussing the work of the Holy Spirit.

He uses the phrase, Yet a little while, to change the subject and the focus

Jesus crams so much into a short amount of time. It is amazing the apostles remembered all the teachings.

The Holy Spirit was their inspiration.

Jesus is speaking in proverbs verse 25

He has spoken in metaphors and illustrations to help them understand. However, it is difficult to understand until you have the key.

What type of metaphors has Jesus used? Concerning his Father, and his Father's house, and the many mansions in it, of his going to prepare a place for them there, and of the way unto it, all which they seemed not to understand; of the nature of communion with him and his Father, and of the manifestation of them to them, so as not unto the world, which they could not account for; of their union to him under the simile of the vine and its branches; Gill

The key to unlock the parables is coming. When they see Him no more, and then see Him again, that will be the key which unlocks the parables.

The Disciples Wonder verses 17, 18

Do you ever wonder? Do you have difficulty piecing together the events of your life? Do you have trouble attempting to see how your life fits in the Providence of God?

The key is to understand that now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.

What does Jesus mean? You will see me, then you won’t see me, then you will see me again. Also, what does Jesus mean by “I go to the Father.”?

Of course, we know, because of the resurrection what Jesus means by this statement.

The apostles did not know. Jesus is speaking of His death upon the cross, and His resurrection.

When they experience the resurrection, the parable will become clear.

I go to the Father

This is speaking of the ascension.

The apostles have been so focused on being a follower of Jesus, that they might have lost perspective. Following Jesus is important, but following Jesus is not the end of it all.

Following Jesus leads to the Father. The end goal is to be restored to the Father.

Losing perspective is easy for us. We become so focused on a short-term goal, that we lose sight of a long term goal. One way this may happen to us, is that we become so focused on the church, that we lose sight of the fact that the church is to lead us to Christ, who leads us to a right relationship with the Father.

Another way we can do this is when we are raising our children. We get so caught up in the day to day activities of life, that we lose sight of the fact that we are raising children who will one day be adults. Then, they are children who will one day stand before God. Are you raising your children to be accountable to God? Remember, your children are God’s children, He only loaned them to you for a while. You are to raise them so they will be desirous of a right relationship with the Father.

Jesus Explains verse 19-22

The Divinity of Jesus is on display here

Jesus knows the thoughts of the apostles.

If Jesus knows the thoughts of the apostles, then, He knows your thoughts.

Is this comforting or troubling? For one who holds iniquity in their heart, this should be troubling. For a faithful disciple this should be comforting.

Jesus begins His explanation.

Verily, verily,---truly, truly.

Jesus is emphasizing the reality of what is about to happen.

The world will rejoice.

The world will rejoice for what is about to happen to the apostles.

The world will rejoice because the one who they think is troubling them will be out of the way.

What they don’t understand is that the one they think is out of the way, is only ascending to the Father. And, the one who they doubt is the Messiah will soon become their judge.

They will cry and lament, and sorrow.

What is about to happen is going to be tragic for the apostles. They will be broken.

They will be broken because of their lack of faithfulness. They will be broken because their leader will be crucified.

Their hearts will turn to rejoicing when they see the resurrected Lord!

Think how the responses will be reversed at the 2nd coming.

The world, instead of being filled with joy, will be turned to fear. They will cry out for the rocks to fall on them.

The saints, will rejoice when the last trump sounds.

Which group will you be in?

Jesus uses a Word picture to explain sorrow followed by joy

Joy follows birth.

You women understand this more than we men.

40 weeks of struggle are all forgotten at the first glance. The joy outweighs the sorrow.

In the same manner, the apostles will experience heartbreak, sorrow. This sorrow will be followed by joy which will outweigh the sorrow.

Thoughts from Spurgeon’s sermon. If we could only get a glimpse of the glory which awaits us. The apostles right now see their circumstances as seeing through a dark glass. Jesus is clearing the glass for them. He is helping them see more clearly. Now, we see life as through a glass darkly also. However, just as the circumstances become clear for the Apostles, the circumstances will become clearer for us, and we will see the glory which awaits us, which will far outweigh the sorrows of life.

Spurgeon said in his sermon, “if we could only see ourselves as we will be.” The reason that sorrows seem so heavy, and seem to outweigh our joy, is because we can’t see ourselves living and walking in the glory which awaits us. Therefore, sometimes our hearts are filled with sorrow. We need to remember that joy cometh in the morning.

Jesus pulls back the curtain a little. I will see you again, verse 22.

Then, their heart will rejoice.

That joy will no man be able to take away.

The joy which comes with being born again, can never be taken away.

The joy which comes because of the hope of the resurrection, can no man take away.

Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. We must not allow him a place he does not deserve.

IN this, we see the tender love of Jesus helping them to understand.

The Benefit of that which causes sorrow. verses 23,24

Answered Prayer and Fulness of Joy

When they see Jesus again, they will understand why they can pray. They will have joy because they know that Jesus is alive.

In that day—the day when they see the resurrected Lord.

Can you describe a day that has changed your life?

Ye shall ask me nothing

Now, because Jesus is present, they address all of their questions to him.

In the days to come, they will address their prayers to the Father.

That’s why Jesus taught them to pray, “Our Father, which art in heaven.”

Whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give it.

This is not a blank check. How many times have you heard someone add, “IN Jesus name” AMEN.

That is not asking in Jesus name. Remember what this means, it means asking for the sake of Jesus. It means asking to glorify Jesus. It is praying as if Jesus was the one making the request.

They will receive the request because it is a request that Jesus would make if He was walking on earth, in the same circumstances.

They haven’t requested in the name of Jesus.

They haven’t needed to, Jesus is present with them.

Ask, that your joy may be full.

Their joy is that they see Jesus.

Their joy will fill as they help others see Jesus.

Maybe, our joy would fill if we would help others see Jesus.