Day 1160: Overwhelming joy! - John 16 vs 13 - 24

13-15 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 16 A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”

17-18 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’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”

19-20 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’? 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.

21-22 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. 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. 23-24 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. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:13-24 English Standard Version

The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Jesus!

He did this by causing the disciples to know everything that the Father had given to the Son. Colossians 1:15 says: ”He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him.” John said earlier that “the Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.” (John 3:35)

But what did Jesus mean by 'not seeing Him', and then, in a little while 'seeing Him again'? This certainly confused the disciples. (vs 17-18) And they were just as confused by Jesus saying “I am going to the Father”.

Jesus starts the explanation by telling them of the overwhelming joy that would be theirs when He rose from the dead. (At least, that's what I understand Him to be referring to.) That day would transform their lives. (vs 23-24) And the Holy Spirit would enable them not only to discover that, but would enable them to powerfully proclaim it. The resurrection of Jesus, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, would give them a bold confidence in prayer. They would learn to ask in Jesus name; the Father would hear; and His response would fill them with joy.

The Lord was a master at using word pictures to illustrate truth. He did so here too by using the analogy of a woman giving birth. He speaks of her 'hour of sorrow', when birth pangs were upon her, but afterwards she no longer remembers the anguish she went though, because a child was brought into the world. That would be the experience of His disciples caused by His crucifixion, but then followed by His resurrection.

Jesus used the word 'joy' three times in today’s reading. The joy of the mother at the birth of her child, the joy of the disciples at His resurrection, and their joy when God answered their prayers. How sad it is that, in many countries now, the joy of bringing a new life into the world has been replaced by abortion. And how sad it is that so many still do not know the overwhelming joy of Christ's resurrection, and of a God who hears our prayers. Joy is truly the hallmark of a Christian's life.