From Sorrow to Joy
When people think of biblical prophecy, they often marvel at the span of separation between prophetic prediction and the fulfillment. In John 16:16–22, Jesus prophesied of His death and resurrection within hours of their fulfillment. Jesus told His disciples of His going away and their grief. He also told them of the permanent joy that would soon be theirs, forever.
In His farewell discourse, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the significant changes coming to the ministry. These eleven men had been with Him from the beginning. They had experienced Jesus’ divine love; His infallible teaching; His signs and wonders observed with each miracle. Everything about Messiah was good. He lived what He taught. They were witnesses to the perfect attributes of God; for the God-man was their Lord, their Master, their Teacher.
In His previous explanations of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the disciples were in denial. Sensing the imminence of the event, the disciples were crestfallen. Their sorrow was evident; and it was their grief that prevented them from hearing the rest of the story.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is considered to be the core of the Gospel message (1 Cor 15:3–4). It is the centerpiece of the Christian message, we preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:18; 2:2, 4), for it is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe the good news (Rom 1:16–17). The death of God’s Son…good news?
We learn from John 16:20 that the world rejoiced at the death of Jesus of Nazareth. The ruler of this world, Satan, appeared to have secured victory over his opponent sent from God in heaven (Jn 3:16). The devil, however, is no match. Like Haman building the gallows for Mordecai, and experiencing his own death upon them…so it was Lucifer, the chief angel and usurper to the throne of God, who suffered defeat at the Cross.
At the Cross of Calvary, Jesus defeated sin, Satan, the world system, and death itself. His laid down His life for God’s chosen people; and this secured triumphant victory (2 Cor 2:14; 1 Jn 5:4). His sacrifice of Himself achieved peace with God for those who were sprinkled with His precious blood (Rom 5:1); for without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22). In Him, however, we have redemption according to the riches of His grace (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14).
These are the matters Jesus’ disciples could not handle that evening (Jn 16:12). The Holy Spirit was also promised to them (Jn 14:26; 15:26). The third Person of the Trinity, the paraclete, assumed the task of teaching those who to whom He was sent (Jn 14:26). He is the same Spirit sent to us, today, to grant us grace unto salvation that gives us the victory in Jesus (2 Cor 2:14; 1 Jn 5:4), which comes by the faith granted to each elect, redeemed, regenerated believer (Eph 2:8–9).
This is the common faith passed down to us from those who were taught before us (Jude 3). It is the fruit of the indwelling Spirit when He begins His work in the soul of each Christian (Gal 5:22–23). The eleven had learned much from Jesus; but the core of the Gospel was still before them. They would be eyewitness to the power of God, in raising Jesus from the dead. It changed their lives. It is still changing lives.
There is a sorrow in the natural man (1 Cor 2:14), a depression of hopelessness (Eph 2:12). Death is looming and the sinner is helpless without God. Apart from Christ (Jn 15:5), there is only the dark prospect of eternal punishment in the torment of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). Deceived by Satan (Jn 8:44; 2 Cor 4:4), many seek relief from this morose state of lament. Many take their own lives in a desperate act of self-murder suicide…only to enter a far worse disposition.
Christian sorrow is different. The child of God has the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Jn 3:1, 10), the token of God’s love and the promise of reunion and communion (2 Cor 5:5). Still, he or she longs for home (Phil 1:21–23). The world from which the Christian has been delivered from is a foreign exile (Jn 15:18–20). We are still here in an increasingly alien place, serving the living God as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). Our focus, thanks to the Spirit of God, is Christ (Heb 12:2), seated above in the heavenly place (Eph 2:6), on the throne of God, at the right hand of Majesty (Heb 1:3; 8:1). As we learn of Him, it remains dim to us. We want more light.
Jesus’ disciples were given much to consider on the night of His departure. Grief set in. Sorrow filled their hearts. They were confused in their minds; but the Holy Spirit remedied that when illumination came regarding the Scriptures and all that they revealed about Messiah and what He accomplished. What a gift sent from God!
Christian, are you depressed in this world of sin, death, and deceit by the devil? The antidote is joy; for the joy of the Lord is forever our strength. We must learn our lesson, today, from the eleven disciples in their dark night of the soul. We have what they had after Pentecost — the full revelation of Jesus and His work. Pray for more desire for and light from the Bible. May His Spirit grant that to you!
To move from sorrow to joy is to remember the death of Jesus, His burial, and His resurrection. We serve a risen Savior. He is alive and reigning from His glorious throne. He has no match, no rival. The devil is all smoke and mirrors. Look to Christ and learn of Him who makes us glad. He is all our hope and joy. Rejoice, my dear reader, and again I write to you to rejoice. The world still thinks it gained the upper hand against the Son of God; but He is coming again, and we must proclaim Him and His death until He does…and that does one’s soul a mighty dose of good.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 4, 2024
John 16:16–22
