John 16:16-24 – “You sorrow will turn into joy”
(Craig Kozminski)
John 16:16-24 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 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’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 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’? 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. 21 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. 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. 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. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
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In today’s passage Jesus prepares the disciples for his imminent departure and the sorrow that they would experience as a result. However, he does not leave them in their sorrow. He also foretells the great hope that would arise from his crucifixion and resurrection, leading to their reconciliation with the Father.
The passage begins “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me” (v. 16) which appears to confuse the disciples. Jesus then explains that while they will mourn his absence, the world will be glad, another reference to the world’s hatred of him. He assures them that their mourning and sorrow will be temporary, and not only would it end, but it would be transformed into joy. To illustrate this, he uses the analogy of childbirth, a process that can be agonizingly painful yet typically concludes with the overwhelming joy of a newborn’s arrival. Lastly, Jesus instructs the disciples to pray boldly to the Father in his name. It is through Jesus’s atoning death that God and mankind are reconciled, fulfilling Christ’s role as mediator through the offices of prophet, priest and king.
From the perspective of someone who has experienced grief, attended a GriefShare ministry, and had the privilege of co-leading our own church’s GriefShare ministry with Joe Stehle and Ginny Heasley, this passage offers great encouragement. Jesus, in his immeasurable grace and in the face of his own certain pain and suffering during his crucifixion, takes the time to care for and encourage his disciples. He allows them to “weep and lament” and to “be sorrowful” (v.20). He does not offer them platitudes or tell them to suppress their grief, because Jesus understands the sorrow that accompanies the loss of loved ones. He demonstrates his own sorrow and empathy for Mary and Martha’s grief at the death of their brother, Lazarus (John 11:35). He knows that the disciples will grieve the loss of their friend, the humiliation and torture that he will endure on their behalf, and the perception of their enemies’ victory. Regardless, Jesus permits their grief and enters into it by offering them the hope found in his amazing grace.
Jesus does not deny the disciples’ sorrow; rather he illuminates a path through it. He offers a joy that is capable of covering even the deepest grief. What may seem impossible when you are walking through grief and pain becomes possible through the healing work and power of the Holy Spirit. This promise is not only for the disciples but also for all who follow Christ. Whether you are navigating a personal loss, grieving social or political conflict around the globe, or caring for others in the midst of their own battles, Christ’s assurance that our “sorrow will turn into joy” is a lifeline we can cling to during our darkest moments. Let us hold fast to this promise, praying boldly to the Father in Christ’s name, that he would meet us in our trials and grant us joy, especially in the midst of our sorrow.
Weekly Prayer Focus: Capital Campaign
Daily Prayer Request: “Stewardship.” The word stewardship is often used by Christians to describe the way we relate to money. As stewards, we recognize that all things belong to God and that even the wealth we possess is meant to be used for his purposes‘ This is both a challenging and liberating way to regard our assets.