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29/4/07 8 a.m. B.C.P. Easter 3 - John 16:16-22
John16: 16 "After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again." 17 Some of the followers said to each other, "What does Jesus mean when he says, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? And what does he mean when he says, 'Because I am going to the Father'?" 18 They also asked, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19 Jesus saw that the followers wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking each other what I meant when I said, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? 20 I tell you the truth, you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will become joy. 21 When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain, because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world. 22 It is the same with you. Now you are sad, but I will see you again and you will be happy, and no one will take away your joy.
What do you think of when you hear the word "joy"? Do you think of something that brings you pleasure and delight. A positive attitude.
Samuel Dickey Gordon (1859–1936): "Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross."
This reading is part of a conversation Jesus had with his disciples the night before he was crucified. He had just told them what was going to happen. They were devastated. Here, he is warning them that they will be sad after his death yet have joy once he had conquered death. He likens this journey to childbirth.
This journey of joy is one was may have gone through over Easter. The joy and excitement of Palm Sunday, perhaps in the knowledge that this was soon to change.
Then there is the joy of the world, the religious leaders who crucified Jesus. Now they would be rid of this troublesome Nazarene and could go back to their comfortable lives without being bothered by Jesus.
Today there are many people who want to go through their lives, perhaps even religious lives, without being troubled by Jesus!
The joy of the religious leaders contrasts with the pain, fear and disappointment of the disciples.
Perhaps we felt this pain of Good Friday as we thought about the physical pain Jesus endured on the cross. But also the spiritual pain as he took upon himself the punishment for the sins of the world. We contributed to that pain.
But then the disciples, and we, experience the joy of Easter Sunday. Jesus does not replace our sorrows with joy. He transforms our sorrows into joy. The event that caused the grief has become the event that causes us joy in the light of the resurrection. The two are linked. Sorrow and joy. The cross and the resurrection.
Just as we may go through this journey of joy at Easter so this can happen in our lives. There may be times in our lives that are difficult. We may be confused, upset, hurting, but we need never be without joy. Jesus is risen from the dead and, through his resurrection, believers now have access to eternal life.
Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887, American Preacher, Orator, Writer; "The test of Christian character should be that a man is a joy-bearing agent to the world."
PRAY
B.C.P. 3rd after Easter - John 16:16-22
John:16: 16: A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17: Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18: They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19: Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20: Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21: A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22: And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
PRAY
When Disraeli was dying he was asked if he would like Queen Victoria to visit him. He replied, 'No, it is better not. She would only ask me to take a message to Albert.'
In John 16 we have some of Jesus last words to his disciples before he died the next day on a cross. Jesus had just promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples.
16: A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. This refers to death and resurrection.
17: Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18: They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. The disciples were confused. Jesus had been teaching them about his crucifixion and resurrection but they had not understood. They had a traditional Jewish understanding of an earthly Messiah - unpack.
19: Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Jesus takes initiative. cf incarnation. Wants to prepare his disciples, knows they still do not understand.
20: Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 'weep' is the verb for loud wailing which carries the idea of deep sorrow and its outward expression.
Contra joy of 'world' - Jewish leaders who thought they had got rid of Jesus. Yet by his resurrection Jesus turns everything upside down.
This would bring joy from God through the resurrection of Jesus. Joy is not a state of happiness brought about by outward circumstances. But an inward, intimate knowledge of the risen Lord Jesus that permeates out whole being. Like blotting paper soaking up ink.
Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit whom Jesus has just promised his disciples. A fruit grows naturally, and slowly because the purpose of the plant is to produce fruit. So our joy will grow slowly, but steadily as we let God the Holy Spirit have his way within us. Letting him work out his purpose.
Thomas Watson said : "There is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly as between a banquet that is eaten, and one that is painted on a wall."
21: A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. Illustrate. Childbirth was used to describe the pains that would precede the coming of the Messiah. There was no popular idea it would refer to his pain. Then no maternity hospitals and painkillers. Birth was at home , witnessed, and heard by many. But with childbirth the mother's state of mind changes from pain to joy.
22: And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Now. The grief is imminent. Yet Jesus will see them again once he is risen. The initiative is his. He appeared to the disciples and others for forty days when he wanted to. Jesus will always be with his disciples. Initially through his risen, glorified body and later through his indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore, their joy can never be taken away. They will never again have to go through the separation from Jesus that they endured for two days after his crucifixion. They, and we, have a friend and Saviour who is alive forever ! This brings Jesus' disciples and everlasting joy and hope whatever the world may throw at us.
There may be times in our lives that are difficult. We may be confused, upset, hurting, but we need never be without joy.
Someone once said "If you have no joy in your religion, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere.
PRAY