1. The Departure of the Lord Jesus was painful news to the Disciples
2. They could not fully understand God’s profound plans
3. The Lord Jesus broke things down in simpler language
RETURNING TO THE FATHER
16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”
John 16:16
1. The Departure from life on earth stated
a) The Disciples would not see Him
b) But after a little while, they would see Him because He goes to the Father
2. Two parts are involved:
a) Death would take place
The Disciples would not see the Lord Jesus
b) Returning to the Father
The Lord Jesus would not be dead but He would return to His Father
LACK OF COMPREHENSION OF THE DISCIPLES
17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “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 go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”
John 16:17-18
1. The Disciples discussed what the Lord Jesus said
2. But they could not understand what He meant
THE EXPLANATION OF THE LORD JESUS
19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:19-24
1. Two different responses
a) The world would rejoice
b) The Disciples would weep and lament
2. Sorrow turned into joy
a) Sorrow is naturally felt at the death of the Lord Jesus
b) But that sorrow would be turned to joy
3. Illustration of a woman giving birth
a) Sorrow and pain are felt during labour
b) But joy replaces sorrow for the anguish is forgotten when the baby is born
IN THE DAY WHEN THE LORD JESUS WOULD DIE
1. Sorrow would be turned to joy
a) This joy would be permanent
b) The Lord Jesus would see them again and joy would return
c) No one can take away this joy
2. Prayer
a) It was not a very prominent feature in their life
b) Assurance that their prayers would not be in vain
c) God would hear and answer their prayers
d) They must learn to ask and the Father will answer and give joy
CONCLUSION
1. Some expressions may be difficult to comprehend
2. But we must at least stick to the facts!
a) Death is not the final thing
b) Death will not affect the Person of the Lord Jesus adversely
c) Death is a return to God the Father
3. Encouragement to pray
a) The Disciples could have prayed for wisdom
b) They could have asked for comprehension
c) They could have asked for joy
d) But, in reality, the Disciples were not given to pray much
e) They did not feel very much the need to pray for the Lord Jesus was with them every single day