Sermon Notes - John 16: 16-22

The next four Sundays of the Easter season are perhaps the most difficult for me to preach. To date, we have heard the details of Christ’s resurrection, and have been comforted in hearing that Jesus, who has defeated all the enemies that would harm us, is also our Good Shepherd who is seeing to all of our needs. Now as we continue to ponder the implications of Christ’s resurrection we move into Christ’s discourses in John 14,15, and 16. The thing is, these words of our Lord to His disciples can be confusing. Indeed, we’ll find out that Jesus intends to speak in riddles and that His death and resurrection is the key that unlocks the riddles for the believer.

In the text this Sunday we hear Jesus tell His disciples, “A little while, and you will see me no longer and again a little while, and you will see me.” The disciples, themselves, are debating what Jesus could possibly mean. Jesus knows they’re asking themselves what He means. Yet rather than say, “Here’s what I mean,” Jesus says that the disciples “will weep and lament while the world will rejoice.” Yet, He also gives them a promise: “You will be sorrowful but your sorrow will turn into joy.” He then uses an apt illustration: a woman in child birth who suffers, but forgets her pain because of the joy of new life. Notice not only is the pain done, but the woman doesn’t even remember it.

Finally, look at the comforting promise Jesus gives at the end of the text. This time, He doesn’t comfort them saying, “You will see me again.” Instead, He says “I will see you and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Clearly this already takes place as Christ is taken from the disciples in death, but then returns to them in the resurrection. Therefore, already they have joy that can’t be taken from them. However, this also has implications for all of us Christians who are waiting for Christ’s return. We have sorrow now, but just as Christ has shown Himself in the resurrection, and today in the preaching of His word, yet He will also show Himself again when He returns for judgment. Then not only will our joy remain forever, but the suffering will be gone forever.

This would all be hidden from us if it wasn’t for Christ’s resurrection.