John 16:16-20, Sorrow into Joy

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 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’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 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, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

Another gift of the Spirit is the presence of Christ himself who is our joy. Of all that the church needs, the presence of Christ is the most important. We are not alone because we have him. It is not so much that Jesus sends his church out on mission, but that he goes with his church on mission in the world. In October of 2015 in Peru I did a five-day hike up to an elevation of 15,200 feet on my way to Machu Picchu. An experienced Peruvian guide led the way all the time. He didn’t start the trip by saying, “Go up that mountain in front of us, then take a left over the saddle, head downhill for two days until you get to the river, cross over the river in a steel basket, then . . .” No, he went with me for those five days and led me, even sitting with me when I became exhausted one day and didn’t think I could continue. His Spanish name was Jesús. Every time he helped me along the way I would say, “Thank you, Jesus!”

When great leaders die, perhaps they leave a book for people to read or a list of good ideas or directions to follow. But with Jesus, we have his actual presence through his Spirit. I remember a time of prayer with two good friends. As we prayed, I knew that Jesus was in the room with us. I actually felt him standing next to me while we were deep in our time of prayer. When we finished, I asked if they had sensed his presence too, and they agreed. When you know God is standing beside you, you do experience great joy.

The joy Jesus is talking to his disciples about is the same joy Martha and Mary experienced when their brother, Lazarus, came out of his tomb. Jesus’ going away for a little while refers to his death. Seeing Jesus again refers to his resurrection. Jesus goes away (crucifixion) for our benefit and returns (resurrection) for our benefit.

Spend time in prayer today with Jesus and experience the joy of his presence.