The Gospel of John: John 16.16-33

Read and meditate on John 16.19-22.
Jesus’ disciples will know sorrow in this world, but not even sorrow can rob us of our joy.

                             ¹⁹Jesus knew that they
desired to ask, so He began to say
to them, “Are you inquiring about what
I said, ‘A little while and you will not
see Me; again, a little while and you
will see Me’? ²⁰I will tell you what is true:
You will lament and weep; the world, though, will
rejoice. And you will sorrow, but it will
be turned to joy. ²¹A woman, when she is
in labor, will know sorrow. Her hour has
arrived. When she has given birth though, she
remembers not her anguish, just to see
with joy the child that she has brought into
the world. ²²So you have sorrow now; but you
will see Me yet again, and then your heart
will have great joy, and none can take this part
from you.”

- John 16.19-22

Reflect
1.  Jesus did not leave His disciples to guess about the meaning of what He told them in verses 16-18. He wanted to make sure they understood. He explained they would weep and lament, even as the world around them was rejoicing. Why does the unbelieving world rejoice to be done with Jesus? Is that still true? How should this affect our calling as Jesus’ disciples? Complete this prayer: Lord, I pray for the lost people I know, that they would…

2.  Jesus did not want His disciples to be overwhelmed by sorrow; rather, in the midst of sorrow, they should remember the joy which is theirs. The world is happy to be done with Jesus (so it supposes). Believers rejoice to know they’ll never be done with Him. What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Thank You, Lord, for the joy I know from…

3.  Christians, Jesus explained, live in the present with a view to the future. We aren’t trapped in our past, and we don’t have to give in to our present circumstances. The future holds the key to our joy, and for the Christian, the future is always now. Explain. I know a day is coming when I will see You face to face, Lord, and I know that today…

4.  What’s the point of Jesus analogy with a woman giving birth (v. 21)? In what sense are we as His followers like that woman? Today, Lord, I may have to experience disappointment, sorrow, or even worse. Help me to…

5. Jesus said that no one can take our joy from us. Why is this so? What are the implications of this for our times of trial and sorrowing? How would you use this truth to counsel a fellow believer experiencing a time of sorrow? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Those who loved Christ lamented and wept when they saw him apprehended by his enemies, bound, led before the Sanhedrin, condemned [to death], scourged, exposed as an object of derision and finally crucified, his side pierced with a lance and buried. Those who loved the world … rejoiced when they condemned to a shameful death one who was troubling for them even to look at. The disciples were sorrowful when their Lord was put to death, but when they acknowledged his resurrection, their sorrow was changed to joy. And when they saw the mighty power of his ascension, they were raised up to an even higher level of joy, praising and blessing God.” The Venerable Bede (672-735 AD)

The Lord is our joy – to know Him, see Him in glory, walk with Him, draw on His power, proclaim His love to the world. This is what we live for as His followers and friends. How can you know the joy of the Lord more consistently in your daily life?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16.7-11

Psalm 16.7-11 (All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
I bless Your Name, O Lord; my mind instructs each night;
You teach me by Your Word and guide me in the right.
    Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
    Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

You are ever with me, Lord; in You I shall not fall.
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call.
    Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
    Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again,
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
    Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
    Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

T. M. Moore

Are you a bringer of joy? Our book Joy to Your World! can get you on track for knowing and sharing the joy of Jesus. Order a copy for yourself and a friend by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.