When Grief Can Turn to Joy. (John 16: 16-33)

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Episode Notes: "When Grief Can Turn to Joy" (John 16:16-33)

Context

In John 16:16-33, Jesus prepares His disciples for His impending departure, His crucifixion, and His eventual resurrection. He assures them that their current sorrow will transform into joy.

Themes and Key Points

1. Sorrow Will Turn to Joy (John 16:16-24)

Understanding "A Little While"

Transformation of Sorrow to Joy

Role of Prayer

2. Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World (John 16:25-33)

Speaking Plainly About the Father

Peace in Tribulation

Application to Personal Life.

Experiencing Joy Through Prayer

• Direct Relationship with God: Believers have the privilege of direct communication with the Father through prayer, leading to joy.
• Receiving Good Gifts: God promises to answer our prayers, providing us with good gifts that bring joy.

Finding Peace in Tribulation

• Jesus’ Presence: In the midst of trials, believers can find peace through the presence of Jesus.
• Overcoming Challenges: Trusting in Jesus' victory over the world provides strength and courage to face life's difficulties.

Practical Steps to Embrace Joy and Peace

Embrace the Holy Spirit

• Guidance and Truth: Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and to provide a clearer understanding of God.
• Active Engagement: Engage actively with the Word of God and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your daily life.

Seek God in Prayer

• Ask and Receive: Take your requests to the Father in Jesus' name, confident in His promise to answer and bring you joy.
• Consistent Prayer Life: Develop a consistent prayer life to experience the fullness of joy that comes from a deep relationship with God.

Trust in Jesus’ Victory

• Peace Amidst Trials: Remember that Jesus has overcome the world, and in Him, you can find peace regardless of circumstances.
• Enduring Joy: Hold onto the promise that your sorrow will turn into joy, trusting in Jesus' presence and victory.

Conclusion

Jesus’ words in John 16:16-33 offer profound encouragement. Despite the disciples’ impending sorrow, Jesus promises joy, peace, and victory. These assurances are equally relevant for us today. By embracing the Holy Spirit, seeking God in prayer, and trusting in Jesus’ victory, we can transform our grief into unshakeable joy.

Reflective Questions

• How can you actively engage with the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
• In what areas of your life do you need to seek God more fervently in prayer?
• How can you hold onto Jesus’ promise of peace and joy amidst your current challenges?

Transcript

When Grief can Turn to Joy. (John 16: 16-33)

 
Full Transcript. 

Imagine the scene: Jesus, knowing His time with His disciples is drawing to a close, speaks candidly about His impending departure and return. The disciples, confused and filled with dread at the thought of losing their friend and teacher, are told that their sorrow will soon be turned to joy. Jesus will uses the most striking of metaphors to illustrate this profound shift—pain and anguish can give way to overwhelming joy when a new life is brought into the world.

In our own lives, we often face moments that seem insurmountable, filled with heartache and despair. Yet, Jesus assures us that these periods of sadness are not the end. Just as He foretold the disciples’ sorrow can turn to joy, He promises that our grief will also be transformed. This isn’t just a fleeting happiness, but a deep, abiding joy that comes from His presence and the fulfilment of His promises.

Today, we will look into the encouraging truths of John 16:16-33, exploring how Jesus prepares His followers for the challenges ahead and comforts them with the certainty of joy. 

We will examine how His words speak to our own experiences of sorrow and the hope we can find in Him. 

Join me as we discover how, in the midst of our deepest sadness, we can find a joy that is unshakeable and everlasting, rooted in the love and victory of Jesus Christ. Together, let’s embrace the hope and assurance that no matter how deep our sorrow, Jesus will turn our sadness into joy.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” 17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “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 go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

(John 16: 16-24)

In John 16:16, Jesus says, "“A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”." This statement puzzled the disciples, causing them to discuss it among themselves, asking, "What does He mean by this? We do not understand what He is saying."

Let's break this down:

First of all what does He mean by a "Little While" (Verses 16)

Jesus tells His disciples that they will not see Him for a little while because He will be crucified and buried. Then, after a little while, they will see Him again because He will be resurrected. 

During this time, the world will rejoice over His death, but the disciples will be filled with sorrow. However, their sorrow will turn to joy when they understand he has risen from the dead. 

This joy is likened to a woman in labour who experiences intense pain but forgets that immediately once her child is born, and she is filled with joy at the new life.

But Jesus also point out that there is a potential to experience that sense of joy through prayer.

Jesus continues by saying, "In that day, you will ask Me nothing." This refers to the time after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit comes. He has already spoken to them about this, and we looked at it yesterday. The disciples will no longer ask Jesus directly because they will have direct access to the Father through prayer. 

Jesus assures them, "Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you." This new relationship with the Father through Jesus allows them to ask and receive, so their joy may be full.

In the previous section, Jesus told His disciples about the provision of the Holy Spirit. Now, He emphasizes that they also have the potential for full joy through answered prayer. They now have through the Holy Spirit, direct access to the Father, and the potential for answered prayer, all of which lead to complete joy.

Do you have joy in your life? Many people look at their circumstances and feel depressed. When asked how they are, they sometimes even say, "Okay, under the circumstances." But whether you are under circumstances or just plain old feeling down this morning, remember that you can have joy. And one way to experience joy is through prayer.

Some might say that's a cop-out, but it's not. Because remember God gives answers to our prayers. He promises, "Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." When you receive a gift, it brings joy, especially when it's a good gift. And God only gives good gifts. So, instead of crying, groaning, moaning, and complaining, ask in prayer and receive joy.

In John 16:25-33, Jesus continues to explain the advantages of His departure:

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World.

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” 

(John 16: 25-28)

The Advantage of Answered Prayer.

Jesus has been speaking in proverbs and figurative language, but He promises that soon He will speak plainly about the Father.

In essence, Jesus is saying that His departure will bring a new era where the disciples can pray directly to the Father in Jesus' name. This direct access to the father is a profound advantage, providing the potential for full joy through answered prayer and the benefit of experiencing a fully knowledge of the Power and presence of God in your life.

Jesus elaborates on the shift from figurative to plain speech: "These things I have spoken to you in proverbs, but the time comes when I shall no longer speak to you in proverbs, but I will tell you plainly about the Father."

This promise of fuller knowledge ties back to the provision of the Holy Spirit, who will guide His people into all truth. The Old Testament Prophets and Patriarchs and knew God, but their understanding was limited. Even during Jesus' earthly ministry, much remained veiled from people. However, after Jesus' departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit, believers would have a clearer, more comprehensive understanding of God.

With the Old Testament, we can see the clues and revelations that God had placed throughout the Scriptures, bringing everything into clearer focus.

In verses 29-33, Jesus offers another advantage—peace:

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

(John 16: 29-33)

In this passage, Jesus continues to explain the advantages of His departure and how it benefits His disciples:

The Reality of Tribulation is talked about.

Jesus also in His answer says, "The hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

Jesus acknowledges their newfound understanding but cautions them that their faith will soon be tested. They will be scattered and will leave Him alone, but He reassures them that the Father will be with Him.

But he concludes by reminding them, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Jesus emphasizes that although they will face tribulation, they can find peace in Him. The Greek word for tribulation here can be understood as trouble or stress. Whether it is disappointment, the loss of a loved one, a wayward child, or slander, everyone faces pressures in life. Jesus assures that amidst these pressures, His followers can find peace in Him.

Summary and Application.

Jesus’ departure is advantageous for several reasons:

·         Provision of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit will convict the world, guide believers into all truth, and glorify Jesus.

·         Potential of Full Joy: Through direct prayer to the Father in Jesus' name, believers can experience complete joy.

·         Fuller Knowledge: After Jesus' departure, the Holy Spirit provides a clearer understanding of God's nature and plans.

·         Privilege of Peace: Despite the challenges and tribulations in the world, believers can have peace through Jesus, who has overcome the world.

Jesus’ departure brought significant benefits to His disciples and to all believers. The Holy Spirit’s presence, gives the potential for full joy through answered prayer, fuller knowledge of God, and the privilege of peace are all available to us today. We can live with joy and peace, knowing that we have direct access to the Father and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

So, the message here is to embrace these advantages and seek God eagerly in prayer, confident in His promise to answer and fill us with joy.

In essence, all these benefits are wrapped up in the person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' departure is to our advantage because it ushers in the Holy Spirit's presence, power, and potential in our lives. We have the provision of the Holy Spirit, the potential for full joy, the possibility of fuller knowledge of the Father, and the privilege of peace.

Let us take advantage of these blessings. The Holy Spirit lives within every believer, but it is up to us to experience and embrace these individual blessings.

Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to convince the world, but the Holy Spirit works through our witness. He has provided the Word of God to guide us into all the truth we need to become spiritually mature. However, we can only partake of these blessings if we actively read and heed the Word of God.

He has promised us peace and joy, but we also have the potential for worry and sadness. To experience these benefits and blessings, we must follow the Lord’s teachings, walk in the Spirit, and engage with the Word of God and the world.

Could it be that someone here this morning is struggling with pressure, problems, or ignorance? The Lord has promised us power, knowledge, joy, and peace. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ, you possess the Holy Spirit and the potential for peace and power. Many of us live like paupers when we are spiritual millionaires.

As Christians, we have been given the Spirit of God and the Word of God. It is our birthright to experience love, joy, peace, knowledge, and power. Do not walk around in ignorance and sorrow. Embrace the advantages you have through the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Scriptures. 

Ultimately this passage teaches us that joy is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of Christ in our lives, guiding us through our darkest hours into the light of His eternal promise.

As we draw this episode to a close, let's reflect on the powerful promise that Jesus offers us—a promise that our sorrow will turn to joy. Jesus’ words to His disciples, spoken on the eve of His crucifixion, can still resonate deeply with us today if we allow it. 

He knew their hearts were heavy with sorrow, yet He assured them that this sorrow was temporary and would be transformed into unshakeable joy.

Think about the metaphor of childbirth that Jesus used. Think how the intense pain and labour give way to the incredible joy of new life. 

Similarly, our moments of grief, hardship, and despair are not permanent. They are part of a process that, with faith and patience, will leads to profound joy. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated, enduring state of being that comes from knowing and experiencing the presence of Christ in our lives.

Jesus promised His disciples that their grief would turn to joy when they saw Him again after His resurrection. This same promise holds true for us. No matter what we face, we have the assurance that Jesus is with us, guiding us through our darkest moments. He has overcome the world, and through Him, we too can overcome.

So, let’s carry this promise in our hearts. Let’s remember that our sorrow is not the end of the story. Jesus has told us that He is our source of joy and strength. 

When life’s trials can seem overwhelming, hold onto His promise. Trust in His presence. Know that He is working in your life, turning your sadness into joy. Rejoice in the knowledge that with Christ, we are never alone, and our future is bright with hope.

May we leave today with our hearts uplifted, encouraged by the promise of Jesus, and filled with the unshakeable joy that comes from Him.