SORROW TO JOY

April 18

Bible Reading: John 16:16-24

John 16:19-20, “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”? 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.”

I’ve witnessed it many times.  First comes the hospice referral, when a physician has determined that there’s nothing to be done to remedy the patient’s condition.  Then it’s left for the family and patient to come to terms with that sad reality.  The hospice team then works to provide help, focusing primarily on alleviating pain, but also assisting the family in a variety of ways.  It’s a team effort, involving a nurse, nurse’s aide, social worker, volunteer coordinator, volunteers, and a chaplain (me).  Understandably, there’s a lot of sorrow associated with work we do.  Hearts are troubled.  Tears are shed.  There is grief in the anticipation of the inevitable.  Neither my coworkers nor I can change the prognosis, so we are tasked with providing compassionate comfort and care.  Until the moment comes when they are compelled to say their sad goodbye to those they love.

Sorrow filled the hearts of Jesus’ disciples as He spoke to them of His pending “goodbye” (John 16:6).  Alluding to the cross, Jesus foretold of how they would “weep and lament” (John 16:20).  Noteworthy, in juxtaposition, the world would rejoice.  But the sorrow of the disciples would be turned to joy because they would see Him again.  How and when was that to happen?

In verse 19, two different Greek words are translated as “see.”  Jesus told His disciples in “a little while you will not see me.”  The Greek term used here speaks of physical sight.  Then Jesus told them, “And again in a little while and you will see me.”  The Greek term here speaks of mental or spiritual perception.  What was Jesus saying?  He was soon to die on a cross and they would no longer see Him physically.  But then, risen from the dead, He would leave, paving the way for the Spirit to come (John 16:7).  They would thenceforth “see” Him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:14).

Why does all this matter?  We can’t see Jesus with our eyes.  He is not here with us in that sense.  But we behold Him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  And it is by the Spirit that we experience the joy of fellowship with Him, a joy that is ministered to our hearts and is independent of our circumstances. It is as the Apostle Peter declared in his first epistle to those persecuted believers: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).  Amidst our sorrows, however overwhelming they might be, the Spirit is ever working to impart true and lasting joy!  We experience that joy to the extent that we keep our focus on Him!

It is in beholding Jesus, through the ministry of the Spirit, that our sorrow is turned to Joy.

OUT OF MY BONDAGE
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my sickness into thy health,
Out of my want and into thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my self to dwell in thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of thy home,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
Ever thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to thee.