John 16

Temporary Sorrows, Eternal Joy

I don’t know about you but a lot of times there are things in my life that come up that can be pretty depressing. I sometimes get bummed out and wonder if that situation will get any better. I’ll be honest, it’s difficult sometimes to think that a situation will actually get better.

In John 16, Jesus is speaking to His disciples before He goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, and before He is going to be arrested . He speaks on a subject to them where they had become weary. They didn’t know the outcome and they were a little afraid. Jesus said to them in John 16:16, “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” I can imagine the disciples thinking, “Huh?!”

What point is Jesus trying to make here? When He made this statement He was speaking about the hour of His crucifixion coming when He will be delivered into the hands of men to be killed and will raise from the dead 3 days later, then ascend into Heaven. That is when He says the phrase, “A little while, and you will see me no longer…”  They won’t be able to see Him physically anymore because He is going to sit at the right hand of God in Heaven.

Then when Jesus makes the statement, “and again a little while, and you will see me,” and again Jesus is saying after not seeing me, then you will see me. This is a little confusing isn’t it? In simplified terms Jesus is saying, “Look, I’m going to go to Heaven after my resurrection so you won’t see me after that, but when you die, as believers of Jesus (Myself), you will then see me again for eternity.” Make sense?

They were bummed when they heard of this news. He was no longer going to be with them, but then would be eventually. This news brought them great joy, knowing that they wouldn’t be with Him for a short time, but would soon enough, be with Him in eternity.

Jesus compares this sorrow turning into joy by using the idea of pregnancy. He says in verse 21-22, “When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 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.” What great assurance that is! You may have sorrow now, but joy is surely coming after that.

Jesus continues to speak about Him overcoming the world and living a perfect life on this earth, showing His equality with God and also showing that He is able to sympathize with us on our behalf. Do you know that God knows all things you go through, good and bad? He is with you every step of the way!!

Are you bummed, are you wondering if your parents will stay together, if they will stop fighting? Are you wondering if you will lose the house and have to move somewhere else? Are you worried about the family member who is close to death? Look no further than to John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”