John 16:16-24 – Sadness and joy

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Not seeing, then seeing

What Jesus says next is a complete riddle for his followers. ‘Soon you won’t see me, but soon after that you will see me.’ They discussed this amongst themselves, over and over it seems; but they didn’t ask the Master to explain what he meant. Perhaps they were embarrassed because they couldn’t work it out. In verse 10, Jesus had mentioned he would be ‘going to the Father’ and they were puzzled about that as well. And what did ‘soon’ imply?

Jesus understood perfectly what was going on in their minds and that they’d like to ask him about it, but were not going to. And this is typical of him in his dealings with all his followers, not just then, but now as well. He asks questions and he makes enigmatic remarks. The reactions of his followers inform him more than a straightforward conversation would and, more to the point, they help his followers learn.

How we learn

Any teacher knows how to use this method whether the subject is art, maths, science, history – whatever. Questions and enigmas make us think harder, and discuss the possibilities amongst ourselves, while the observing teacher gets a clear sense of whether the students are understanding the important principles. It’s likely this was a method used by any Jewish rabbi. Ask a tricky question, then let the learners wrestle with it and observe their level of understanding.

So remember, when Jesus gives you a question or a problem to resolve, it’s most likely just a way of helping you go deeper or further. And if necessary, don’t be afraid to ask him! He knows your difficulties but he wants you to make the effort and, if necessary, he will help you out. Even if he needs to explain, the fact that you wrestled with it first will help his explanation stick.

So what did he mean?

First he lets them know that he understands their struggles and need to ask, and then he adds a little more information – that they will cry in deep sadness while the world rejoices. And here comes another standard teaching idea, use an illustration, something quite different, something familiar, but something with important similarities. Jesus tells them it will be like a woman giving birth – lots of pain and anguish but with relief and great joy when accomplished.

And now they understand the principle, he adds more detail for them. Their time of grief is now, but he’ll see them again and they’ll rejoice. Nobody will be able to steal that joy from them and they won’t need to ask him any more questions. In fact, they’ll be able to ask his Father (in Jesus’ name) for anything. So far they have not done this – ask, receive, and rejoice!

And what about us?

Can we expect the same? Should we, too, expect to ask in Jesus’ name, receive, and rejoice? Yes! Indeed we should! Does Jesus say to us, ‘So far you have not done this’? Perhaps he does for some of his people and for some of the time. Often we think in terms of faith – ‘Do I have too little faith?’. Frankly, it’s a bad question.

Faith is important, of course. Faith is one of the three things that Paul tells us will remain. The other two are hope and love. And Paul is very, very clear about it, the greatest of the three is not faith, but love! (1 Corinthians 13:1-2) Do you love Jesus? Does he love you? Do you have the Father’s love?

Let me remind you, that yes you do! And this love is greater than faith. Faith is required, but it’s not the measure of the answer. Father’s love is always the measure of the answer.

When you ask for something in Jesus’ name, you may or may not see the answer you expect. Anyone moved a mountain recently? Faith expects that you will trust the answer to Father’s wisdom and love. We don’t always see what we expect. We don’t always immediately receive what we ask. We need to be wise, recognise his love, remain patient and not give up.

And another thing to remember, sometimes we ask in hope, not faith. That’s OK too. There’s nothing wrong with the prayer of hope; there’s no shame in it. Sometimes there is a gift of faith, received in the moment, and we feel certain that what we ask will be done. If so, go ahead and use it! If not, pray anyway, Father listens, he does not turn away. He loves you! We all know what that’s like, we have all been children and some of us have been parents.

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