John 16:16-33 (NIV)

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” 17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

I can relate to the disciples. Understanding what Jesus is trying to communicate to me can be very difficult. I get frustrated when I feel like I am not understanding or misinterpreting Jesus’ message. (There are still other times where I—for whatever reasons—don’t try hard to understand Jesus’ message.) Verse 17 says that “some of his disciples” were trying to understand. Did the other disciples already understand? Were those that understood not willing to share with the other disciples? Or, were just some of the disciples in proximity to Jesus at this time?

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

I like how Jesus notices that his disciples are struggling to understand the message that Jesus is trying to deliver to them. Jesus then steps into the conversation between the disciples to make his message more clear. (At this time the Holy Spirit had not been given to them.)

This was the prelude to a period of great change and upheaval for the disciples. The disciples were going to experience deep grief over the death of their leader, Jesus. I can relate, somewhat, to this drastic a change and this upheaval. When we were informed that Bridget was terminal with months to live, it causes deep grief. Jesus prepares the disciples for this, but also gives them hope that their grief will turn to joy.

There are different things in my life that have caused me to feel grief…different levels of grief. Grief over the loss of friendships, grief at the loss of college life as I transitioned to the work world, grief over romantic relationships that come to an end, and of course grief over the death of my wife. Jesus tells of the woman’s pain in childbirth being replaced with the joy of the child’s birth. As I revisit past griefs, most have been replaced by joy, but some continue to gnaw at my emotions. The loss has left a hole that can’t quickly or easily be filled.

I resolve to ask for His peace, for his provisions, for his comfort, and for joy that can only come from Him.

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

I have written that it is hard for me to listen and obey what God is communicating to me. There is a comfort to know from this passage that the disciples struggled as well. Jesus says here that God loves me because I have loved Jesus and believe Jesus is the son of God. I do love Jesus and want that love to be closer and more real for me.

29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus communicated more clearly with his disciples so that they would know and be reassured. I want to “hear” Jesus this closely. I think the only ways to do that are through time in prayer, time in the Bible, and time with fellow believers. Jesus wanted the disciples to have peace because their life was not going to be easy and smooth as a result of their relationship with Jesus. In fact, they would have trouble. We all, I know I do, hope that upon accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior that life will be smooth. That we will understand Jesus’ will for our life. That we will have close friends. Rather, I know from experience and from reading these versus that life will be troubled, but that we have peace that comes from the love, mercy, and grace that Jesus provides us. A freedom we receive in Christ.