In the verses you are going to read today, Jesus gets down to the ‘nitty gritty’ of what is going to happen soon. Jesus knows His death is about to occur, and He wants His disciples to be as prepared as much as someone who really doesn’t get it, can be prepared. Even though Jesus has talked about His upcoming death, the disciples really haven’t understood it. I’m not surprised. Would you have understood if a very dear friend and a person you had devoted your life to said something about dying and coming back?
The verses are divided into two sections as we look at what Jesus said. In the first section, Jesus talks about leaving and returning. I think He is referring to His upcoming death and resurrection.
John 16: 16 – 22 (NLT)
“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. “
These verses talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection. He talks about the grief they will experience, but He reassures them that grief will not last a long time. Jesus uses an illustration that you and I can totally understand – the pain of childbirth and the joy on seeing that new precious life. At first the disciples will be grief stricken, not understanding why all their hopes and dreams have crashed. The world around them will be ecstatic because they think they have eliminated this man who threatens to destroy their power and prestige. But then the disciples’ grief will turn to “wonderful joy” when Jesus shows up after His resurrection.
The next group of verses hint at the new relationship that will result from that turning point in the world’s history – the death and resurrection of Jesus. There is now going to be a close connection between the disciples and God, the Father with Jesus’ work on the cross as mediator.
John 16: 23 – 33 (NLT)
“At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father.26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Do you see the difference in these two sections? Now Jesus is talking about a connection with God that people didn’t have before the cross. This new close relationship gives us access to God as we seek to do His will. This is not about getting whatever we want – just pray and everything is all solved in our life. Jesus specifically says they will experience “many trials and sorrows”. But will they be part of God’s plan for this world to bring people back to Him? Yes!
Jesus also knows that His crucifixion will scatter the disciples. The only one who is present at the cross is John, and he is standing out of harm’s way with Jesus’ mother. The rest have all disappeared. But Jesus knows God, the Father, will be with Him. And Jesus knows that eventually the disciples will be together again, “but take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
So how does that impact our lives? It reinforces the truth that the Holy Spirit will be an integral part of my life as a Christ follower. I have access directly to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice on my behalf, and there is a new personal connection established by the Spirit’s coming when Jesus returned to the Father. I know that God dearly loves me, and that is why God sent His Son to this world. I know that I can be part of God’s plan of reconciliation by talking about and demonstrating God’s love for our world.
This gives each of us a purpose in life that decorating our home or planning exotic vacations could never give. Now, I’m not suggesting we abandon those dreams – I love decorating (HGTV is a favourite of mine), and I’ve seen some fantastic places in my travels. However, our real purpose has more to do with the inner peace and joy we can experience as a Christ follower, and the opportunities we have to share that relationship with others – the opportunity we have to share it with our children. If someone just gets a tiny glimpse of God through our lives, it’s all worth it. If you’re a parent of a little one, you probably think life is pretty much just diapers, cleaning up messes, lack of sleep … and the list goes on with preschoolers. Even as an older adult, life can be consumed with work, taxiing your kids around, helping your parents, and everything else. But even then, our personal connection with God makes all that stuff bearable, maybe even enjoyable sometimes.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (verse 33)
Our song for today is Unending Love by Hillsong.