GRIEF THAT TURNS TO JOY

Passage: John 16:16-24

Key verse: 24b

NIV

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

16 (A)“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and (B)again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So (C)some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, (D)‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, (E)‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? (F)We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 (G)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’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, (H)you will weep and lament, but (I)the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but (J)your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 (K)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. 22 (L)So also you have sorrow now, but (M)I will see you again, and (N)your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 (O)In that day you will (P)ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, (Q)whatever you ask of the Father in my name, (R)he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. (S)Ask, and you will receive, (T)that your joy may be full.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. In a little while...(16-22)

In a little while Jesus would die on the cross and they would see him no more, but after three days, he would rise from death and they would meet him again. His disciples were sorrowful at the thought of his leaving. But Jesus told them that their sorrow would turn to joy. Some sorrow leads to despair; but when a woman in travail suffers, her suffering brings new life and great joy. When I repent, I feel very sorry. But when I receive forgiveness through Jesus' blood, my sorrow turns to joy. Jesus' suffering brings new life. No one can take away the joy of one who has been born again into God's family.

2. Ask and you will receive (23-24)

Jesus' disciples had depended on Jesus to do the praying. Now, they must learn to go to God in prayer themselves. This was a blessing. They can go to God through Jesus, and have the joy of fellowship with the Father--and the joy of answered prayer.

Prayer: Lord, give me faith to share in your suffering for the salvation of the world. Teach me to pray.

One Word: In Jesus, sorrow turns to joy