Study the Bible
      with Pastor Gregory
      ByronBible Home

      Would you like to ask Pastor Gregory a question?



      "To Lament or Not Lament"
      John 16:16-22
      Theme: The disillusionment of the believer in the midst of despairing circumstances is dispelled by the active presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

        1. The Reassurance of Christ’s Presence – 16:16-18

          1. The Promise of His Presence – v. 16

            1. The immediate context of this section deals with the explanation by Jesus that the Holy Spirit would directly represent Him as He "… takes of Mine and will disclose it to you."
            2. As noted above, Jesus was emphasizing the essential unity that exists between the Holy Spirit and Him – they were one in their priorities, practices, and in essence.
            3. Jesus now once again attempts to apply the significance of this unity between the Holy Spirit and Him – "A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me."
            4. The disciples were becoming greatly distressed over the possibility that Jesus would die and be taken away – seemingly unable to make a difference or establish the Kingdom.
            5. Jesus immediately promises that His presence will continue – even after He departs from them.
            6. Again, in light of the context, it is best to understand this as a reference to the ascension of Christ – when He "go[es] to the Father." – cp. v. 17
            7. It seems clear that Jesus is here referring not to the cross and burial followed by the resurrection – although that would certainly provide this scenario.
            8. It is best to understand this as a reference to the ascension of Christ Jesus – when He departed to go to be with the Father and subsequently sent the Holy Spirit who is One with Him – cp. John 14:18; 16:7.
            9. Once again, Jesus assures His disciples that He would be with them – even though He is away from them; this is something accomplished by sending His Spirit – cp. Romans 8:9.

          2. The Perplexity concerning His Promise – vv. 17-18

            1. This causes great confusion and perplexity on the part of the disciples – "some of His disciples then said to one another, ‘What is this thing He is telling us, "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me" and "because I go to the Father"?’"
            2. They are puzzled as to what He is referring to – on the one hand, his departure seems to be a temporary thing, while on the other hand it seems to be a permanent thing.
            3. They kept their perplexity somewhat hidden from Christ, although they "were saying, ‘What is this that He says, "A little while"? We do not know what He is talking about’."
            4. They were attempting to reconcile this mentally – only to come to frustration – how could he permanently go away temporarily?

        2. The Reaction to Christ’s Provision – 16:19-20

          1. The Caution in Their Skepticism – v. 19

            1. The disciples were clearly curious and perplexed, but seemingly unwilling to approach the subject with Christ for clarification.
            2. Perhaps they were hesitant to ask Him about this because they figured that it was one of the things they "were unable to bear" until later – cp. v. 12.
            3. But, "Jesus knew that they wished to question Him" – a magnificent display of His tender omniscience.
            4. Jesus identifies immediately the heart of their confusion – "Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’?"

          2. The Conversion of Their Sorrow – v. 20

            1. The circumstances Jesus is referring to here is the events that would fill up the next several weeks of their lives.
              1. It begins the very next day with the crucifixion – causing them tremendous sorrow – "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament …"
              2. These terms are used to refer to the mourning that surrounds someone’s death – cp. John 11:33; cp. John 20:11, 13, 15
            2. However, in contrast to those who were followers of Christ who despaired at His death, "… the world will rejoice …" thinking that they have eliminated the source of their conflict.
            3. However, there will be a turn-a-bout in situation – "… you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy."
              1. This does not teach that that the sorrow merely gives way to joy, but that the cause of their sorrow actually becomes the cause of their joy.
              2. This refers to the issue of the accomplishment of Christ’s death – the provision of atonement for sin – punctuated by the great event of the resurrection of Christ.
            4. Although the resurrection was a cause of great joy – the disciples immediately were so overwhelmed by it all, that they weren’t able to comprehend it until later.
            5. Thus, it is the event of the provision of the Spirit of God – at Pentecost – that brought the fulfillment of the promise that they would "see me" (Christ) and have the fullness of joy – cp. Acts 13:52.

        3. The Realization of Christ’s Promise – 16:21-22

          1. The Picture of Their Joy – v. 21

            1. Jesus then illustrates this conversion by referring to the tremendous hardship and lament of a woman giving birth – "Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world."
            2. The joy of receiving the product of the labor overshadows the anguish demanded to get it - so that the pain is not what the mother chooses to dwell on.
            3. Rather, she chooses to rejoice in the fruit of her ordeal – the child.
            4. In much the same way, the very thing that would cause them such trauma will be the thing that causes them the great joy – the atonement, resurrection and ascension, of Christ together with the arrival of the Holy Spirit who would produce joy – cp. Galatians 5:22.

          2. The Permanence of Their Joy – v. 22

            1. Thus, Jesus acknowledges that they will go through a time of great travail and grief, but it is the necessary process for the realization of the promise of blessing – "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice."
              1. Jesus’ statement deals not only with the issue of the resurrection, but with the issue of His permanent abiding presence with them throughout the church age – cp. Matthew 28:20
              2. When He states "I will see you" – he speaks of His abiding presence with them not merely during the 40 day post-resurrection appearances, but to the permanent presence of His Spirit – cp. Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19
            2. He further states that this joy is something that cannot be compromised – "and no one will take your joy away from you."

        BCBC Home Page