St. John 16:16-22

Introduction

One thing that I can appreciate about Jesus is that he was goal oriented and mission minded. He knew what he was called to do. And he accepted the fact that in order to get to the place of fulfillment he must needs also deal with the circumstances that would define his sorrows. This is true even now of God. That God's design for our life includes not only the ups but the downs as well. Jesus understood that to be glorified there must of necessity come the cross. But this understanding brought him to a place where he saw things differently from others.

Tregedy Strikes

After three and a half years, Jesus is taken from them. And although he did all that he could to prepare them for this day, they could not comprehend beforetime just how difficult it would be to walk without Jesus by their sides. And for people who had walked so closely with him and whose love had intensified so greatly, this was more than a sad occasion, this was a tragedy.

Their world had come crashing down and had come screeching to a halt.

a tragedy is a disastrous event
it was a disaster because now who would be there to make up for their shortcomings and inailities?
and he tells them that there will be a period of sorrow.

A Tragedy Because It Was A Personal Loss

Then There Was The Attitude Of The World Who Crucified Him

Disappointments

There is the story of the Emmaus disciples. They were on their way home. The Lord appeared to them on the way and asked why they were downcast. They told him about Jesus, explaining how he had been crucified by the leaders of the people. Then they uttered what is certainly one of the most poignant lines in Scripture, “But we had hoped he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). They had put so much of their hope in him and he had been taken away from them. Their hopes had been crushed.

Before The Ressurection

The cross looks like a tragedy.

It was meaningless to the disciples because they did not understand that this was God’s atonement for the sin of the world. It was only the death of one they deeply loved. But when Jesus rose from the dead they understood that the cross was not a tragedy but a triumph.
And sorrow was turned to joy
So Jesus said to them not to let the tragedy overcome them.

but he wanted to leave them with the understanding that tragedy is coming, but don't let it rock your peace.
verse 33 says that I spoke these things to you that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.
1 John 4:4 ye are of God little children and have overcome the world, because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.