Devotional - John 16:17-24 - Sorrow Turned To Joy

Passage To Study:

John 16:17-24

[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.

What are the facts of the passage?:

(Verse 17-18) - The disciples are confused by what He said and ask what he meant among themselves.
(Verse 19) - Jesus knew they wanted to ask Him and voices the question for them.
(Verse 20) - They will be filled with sorrow while the world rejoices; but their sorrow will be turned to joy.
(Verse 21) - He uses the illustration of a woman giving birth to make His point.
(Verse 22) - They will sorrow now but will later receive a joy that no one will take away.
(Verse 23) - At that day, they will deal directly with the Father.
(Verse 24) - They may now ask and receive in order that their joy might be full.

What do those facts mean?:

(Verse 20) - You shall weep - namely at His crucifixion, sufferings, death and so on. This refers to real sorrow on their part, not feigned sorrow or the more formal mourning of the professional mourners that were very much a part of the experience of the culture of the day. The disciples would experience real and devestating sorrow over the loss of their Master. They would reap real tears of real emotional distress. They had been told of His death and of His resurrection but this would not forestall the genuine mourning they would experience. This emphasizes for us the real bond of friendship and love that had grown up between these men and the Lord. This sorrow was a part of the price tag for that intimate relationship.

The world, on the other hand will rejoice at His death. This refers, in general, to all others outside of the circle of His disciples. It refers, in particular, to the Jews who sought His death.

Just as the see Me again refers to more than just seeing Him raised from the dead but also, and ultimately, to being with Him in His Father's presence; so also the reference here: Shall be turned into joy... refers to more than just their joy at seeing Him returned from death. He will be going to be with His Father and so their sorrow over His absence, though certainly tempered by the resurrection will persist. That sorrow will only be relieved when they go be present with Him once again.

It is interesting that what would have been the enemy's greatest victory is in reality, the occassion of his greatest defeat. What was the scene of great joy for the earthly enemies of Christ would, by means of the inevitable judgement of God, become the cause of great sorrow. What, for the disciples, was cause for deep mourning, would ultimately be the means by which God would give them their greatest joy.

How do those facts apply to my life?:

We ought to learn a couple lessons from this! First we should learn that all trials and afflictions are temporary for believers. They are only a means to an end for the Lord in our lives. This is the way we must learn to look at all things. It is really the only realistic way to look at things because it is the only way that accurately reflects the truth. After all, truth is what we should be most concerned about.

Second, we can learn about the true nature of men by their response to the sacrifice of Christ. Those that love the Lord as His genuine children do will respond properly to Him. Those who are of the world well respond as the would is wont to respond, selfishly and self- centered- ly. It is actually a fairly accurate way to evaluate one's spiritual state.

What should I do in response?:

I must be aware of this and keep mindful of it as I interact with those around me.

Day

Sorrow Turned To Joy