Your Weeping Turned to Joy (John 16:16-22)
Mark Pitman, November 5, 2023Part of the The Gospel of John series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
The comfort and care of Jesus for His own is beyond what we could even imagine. Tender and merciful is His care for us.
Isaiah 40:11—Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
Hebrews 4:15— For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
His desire, purpose, and ministry provide incredible comfort. Not only is the work of Christ to comfort, but His sending of the Holy Spirit as the resident Comforter likewise is an incalculable gift.
In this passage, we see the Lord seeking the joy of His people.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Holy Spirit’s work in providing the Written Word | None | Faith, Hope, and Love » |
John 16:16–22 (Listen)
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. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
(ESV)