The Gospel Of John Chapter 16 Pt. 5 Suffering And Sorrow Give Way To Joy

Jesus reminds us that suffering comes before joy. 

John 16:16  A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 

This is the sixth time that Jesus has told His disciples that He was soon going to return to His Father. 

A consistent theme in each reference is that Jesus is returning very soon to His Father, and that His disciples would no longer see Him. 

John 7:33-34  Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34)  Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 

This text is the first instance in John's gospel, where Jesus speaks about returning to His Father (See also John 12:35; 13:33; 14:19: 16:5; 16:10).

The words "A little while" referred to Jesus dying on the cross a few hours after He taught this truth to His disciples.

The words "Ye shall not see me" refers to Jesus' death and burial in the grave, where He could no longer be viewed by anyone.

The words "A little while, and ye shall see me" refers to Jesus Christ's resurrection on the third day. 

Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to His Father in heaven (See Acts 1:6-11).

Jesus' disciples did not understand what Jesus said. 

John 16:17-18  Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18)  They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 

You and I read the gospels from a post resurrection, post ascension perspective. Jesus has been with His Father in heaven for 2,000 years, so we have never seen Christ like His disciples did.

The disciples spent 3 1/2 years with Jesus all day and night, hearing Jesus preach and teach, seeing His mighty miracles such that the elements of nature obeyed His commands. 

We know of these marvelous truths because it is recorded in our Bible so that we can read about Jesus, and know Him.

The disciples had trouble grasping that Jesus must suffer and die (Isaiah 53) before His victory over sin, death, hell and the grave. 

They were deeply troubled in their hearts and could not foresee how kingdom ministry could proceed, if Jesus was not with them. 

Mark 9:7-10  And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8)  And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. 9)  And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. 10)  And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 

At the transfiguration of Jesus, the Father's voice spoke to Christ's disciples, saying "This is my beloved Son: hear Him!" 

Jesus led them back down the mountain and as they returned, He told them not to tell anyone about His transfiguration, until He was risen from the dead.

Mark tells us that the disciples did not yet understand that Jesus must suffer and die, before entering into His glory again, with the Father.

In like manner, John records that the disciples did not grasp what Jesus was saying to them, even though to us it may seem obvious. 

Jesus knew their thoughts and addressed their concerns. 

John 16:19-20  Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 

Jesus knew what His disciples were thinking because He is God manifest in the flesh (See Matthew 12:25; 22:18; Mark 2:8; Luke 6:8; 11:17; John 2:25). 

The Psalmist makes it clear that only God knows our inner, hidden thoughts and the words we will speak, before we ever say them (Psalm 139:1-7). 

Jesus went right to the source of their confusion, and repeated the question that troubled them. 

He foretold spiritual realities. When Jesus was crucified, the world would be ecstatic but His disciples would be filled with deep sorrow and weeping, as they mourned the death of Jesus.

Suffering precedes joy; Heartache comes before blessing. 

Psalm 30:4-5  Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5)  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 30:11-12  Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12)  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.  

Yet, their sorrows were turned into amazement and joy when Jesus rose from the grave. This truth connects with the Psalmist telling us that our sorrows and suffering endure for a night, but our joy comes in the morning. 

Christ's disciples would mourn but they would rejoice after His resurrection. They would worship and praise God their Savior. 

Sowing the precious seed of the gospel into people's lives. 

Psalm 126:5-6  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6)  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. 

This text anticipates gospel ministry, preaching the Word and sowing the seed (See Matthew 13, Parable of the Seed and the Sower).

The idea of sowing in tears, means having God's heart toward sinners, loving them enough to tell them about sin, death, eternal condemnation. 

This must be followed by telling them about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and urging them to repent and turn to Christ in faith. 

It pictures believers going forth into the world each day, carrying the precious seed of the gospel with them, ready to be a witness for Christ.

Weeping is followed by rejoicing just as suffering is followed by glory. The idea of bringing sheaves anticipates a harvest of souls for the kingdom of God. 

The Spirit of God takes the Word (precious seed) that we sow, and does His saving work in people's hearts. 

Isaiah 61:1-3  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2)  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3)  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 

This text from the prophet Isaiah was quoted by Jesus when He spoke in the synagogue. 

Notice, the impact of gospel preaching. Those who mourn shall be comforted (See Matthew 5:3-12). 

Those who were covered with sackcloth and ashes will be anointed with the oil of joy. 

Those whose hearts are heavy and weary in well doing, will receive the spirit of praise. 

All of this joyful transformation is so that Jehovah is magnified and glorified.  

John 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 

Jesus compares the disciples sorrows and troubles to a woman giving birth to a son. Once her child is born , she quickly is filled with joy when she holds her infant son.

In like manner, the disciples will experience deep sorrow and overwhelming grief, but their sadness will be replaced with great joy, at Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus promised a favorable response from the Father, to their prayers. 

John 16:22-24  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23)  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24)  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

Jesus promised them that they would see Him again, at His resurrection. 

He reminded them to ask the Father anything necessary when they pray, in Jesus name. The Father will not hold back any good thing for the disciples of Jesus. 

Therefore their joy would be full and complete, when the Spirit of God comes to use these men for preaching the gospel of Christ and doing the work of the ministry.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Jesus is no longer physically present on this earth, so this paragraph probably does not strike us like it did His disciples.

Yet, because we understand this from the scope of the whole New Testament, our hearts should be filled with a yearning for Jesus to return and make all things right.

Jesus suffered and we are not above our Master. We too, will suffer for His name's sake, but our suffering will be replaced by great joy, when Christ calls us home. 

We must sow the seed of the gospel and be witnesses for Christ. 

We must tell lost people about Jesus Christ. 

We must seek to have the heart of God that sent Jesus to seek and save the lost. 

We must sow the seed, and trust the Father for fruit that remains. 

Bob