Sorrow to joy (Ezekiel 46-48; John 16)

Do you remember that feeling as a child when you got separated from your mum in the shops! That sense of panic when you realise you’re alone, where has she gone? But then you hear them, or catch a glimpse of them, and there is huge relief. When we get older, we face more permanent separation as we lose loved ones, we can feel abandoned, alone and even confused. We may be tempted to say to God we don’t understand. That was how the disciples were feeling.

Jesus has just told them “a little while, and you will see me no longer, and again a little while, and you will see me” (John 16:16). Jesus is talking about his death and resurrection. Yet again we see His gracious character as He seeks to help and comfort the disciples despite the enormous weight on His shoulders as he faces the cross. He doesn’t hide anything from them, He tells them they will weep and lament while the world rejoices. This is what happened at the cross as they lost their beloved master, and the world rejoiced that they had finally got rid of Jesus. But then, on the third day, what joy for the disciples when Jesus would rise physically from the dead!

The disciples will have a lasting joy that no one will be able to take from them (v22). Perhaps you know something of that joy? It’s different to happiness, happiness is a temporary emotion, joy is something deep rooted that comes from knowing “the Father himself loves you” (v27). When you know the creator of the world loves you, you know that everything is going to work out ok! Yes, there will be pain, but like a skilful surgeon, your heavenly Father is using it for your ultimate good. The Father himself loves you!

Jesus tells the disciples that because of His going away (to the cross), they will be able to approach God directly (v23). This a staggering claim. Think of all the barriers that were in place between God and the people in the temple. There were so many warnings that you could not just walk into God’s presence, there were the sacrifices, and even then the worshipper could only get so far. Only the high priest, and only once a year, could enter the most holy place. But Jesus tells the disciples they will be able to access God the Father directly (v23).

The disciples, and all who belong to Jesus, can talk to God the Father any time and any place, on the basis of Jesus’ work on the cross. That’s what it means to ask in Jesus’ name, it’s not a magic formula, but it’s on the basis of what Jesus’ has done for us. What a privilege!