THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Small Group Discussion Guide Text: John 16:16-24

Theme/ Big Idea: Joy on the other side of mourning.

Context/ Background Information: John 13-17 records Jesus' loving care in preparing his disciples for his departure and return to the Father. Now, in his closing words, he prepares them for the most painful news yet. Not only is he departing, but he will be tried, condemned, and crucified. In just a short while, they will witness his death and see him no longer. Jesus knows this will be devastating to the disciples. However, though it will seem all is lost, though they will weep and lament, and though the world will rejoice, all is not as it appears. In fact, it is on the other side of death and sorrow that life and joy will come. Therefore, Jesus reassures the disciples that they will see him again, he gives them the hope-filled perspective they need to enter the trial to come, and he offers them comfort and joy that cannot be taken from them.

DISHEARTENING NEWS In John 12:23 and 13:1, Jesus started forewarning his disciples that his "hour" had come. By this, Jesus meant his hour of departure and return to the Father but also the hour of his death. That was certainly not the news the disciples wanted to hear. They were alarmed, filled with anxiety, and full of sorrow (John 16:6). Now, as though the news could not get worse, Jesus tells them that the time is upon them. It will only be "a little while," and they will see him "no longer." John 16:16-19 is very repetitious. In fact, three times, it is said by either Jesus or his disciples, "a little while and you will see me no longer." John is intentionally capturing the weight of the words. The moment of Jesus' departure is upon them.

Jesus knows that he is leaving, but he also knows how he is leaving. He knows that he is going to be arrested, tried, condemned, and crucified. He knows that the hour of his departure is the hour of his death (John 3:14; 8:28; 13:32). He knows that his disciples will witness every excruciating minute of his death and that it will be devastating to them. But Jesus knows something more, something they do not. Though it will seem all is lost, though they will weep and lament, and though the world will rejoice, all is not as it appears. And with that knowledge, Jesus gives them loving assurance, provides them with hope-filled perspective, and offers them enduring comfort and joy.

LOVING REASSURANCE John records the phrase "a little while" seven times in verses 16-19. Indeed, this phrase overshadows everything else that is said in the text. The phrase comes from the Greek word "micros," which simply means a moment in time. It is used in two senses in verse 16-19. On the one hand, it means "in just a moment" or "a short time from now." This is the way it is used when referring to Jesus' departure. In other words, Jesus announces, "In just a short time, I will be departing from you, and you will see me no longer."

There is, however, another sense in which the phrase "a little while" is used, and that is to refer to a short duration of time. That is the sense in which Jesus uses it to refer to their pain and their separation from him. In other words, in just a moment he will depart, and in just a moment they will experience extraordinary pain, weeping, lamenting, and suffering. However, it will only last a moment. It will only be a short duration. Why? Because four times, Jesus says, "you will see me again" (John 16:16, 17, 19, and 22).

What is Jesus doing, and why the repetition? By announcing his departure, the pain to come, the reaction of the world, and the rock-solid assurance that they will see him again, Jesus is reminding the disciples and the reader that everything is going according to plan. He is fully aware of what is to come, what will occur, why it will happen, and, more importantly, what will be the result. Though in just a moment they will not see him and though it will last for a short time, they will be reunited. They will see him again. Just as surely as the sun will rise again because of God's sovereign control over all things, Jesus will rise from the grave, and they will see him again. All is not lost, nothing is out of control, the Godhead still reigns supreme. This is intended to give his disciples radical assurance.

HOPE FILLED PERSPECTIVE Not only does Jesus give his disciples radical and loving assurance, but he also offers hope-filled perspective. Jesus does not hide the pain that is to come. He says, "you will see me no longer," "you will weep and lament," and you "will be sorrowful" (John 16:19-20). The emphasis in both Greek words for weep and lament is on the physical and audible response to a tragedy. They will be physically shaken and audibly wailing and weighed down by sorrow. What they are about to experience will be traumatic, gut-wrenching, pain and loss. Why? It is because of what is implied in Jesus' statement, "you will see me no longer." Jesus is heading to the cross and to his death. He is about to die an excruciating and brutal death, and the disciples will be witnesses to it.

Jesus does not hide the pain. Instead, he provides them with a helpful perspective to carry with them into the pain. Jesus certainly indicates that their pain and their suffering will only be "a little while." But Jesus is communicating something far more critical than "Endure the pain to come; it will only last a moment." No, he is communicating the hope-filled good news of the gospel. The emphasis is on the joy to come when they see that he has overcome the grave.

Jesus uses the analogy of a woman giving birth to explain (John 16:21). At the hour of birth, she experiences extraordinary and excruciating pain, but immediately upon seeing the child, that pain is eclipsed. The pain is not removed, but it is surpassed. Jesus says she "no longer remembers the anguish." Why? Because her pain is surpassed and eclipsed by the superior extraordinary joy of the child. In other words, the joy to come far surpasses and exceeds any pain she experiences.

Though Jesus will die, his death will only last for a moment because of the infinite, immeasurable power of God over sin, death, and Satan. And because his death will only last "a little while," we can have hope of rescue from death that will last an eternity. This is the superior extraordinary joy that eclipses any temporary pain that Jesus is referring to. Jesus is communicating the temporary nature of their suffering, but more than that, he is communicating the means through which all suffering is overcome, and all sorrow is turned to joy. On the other side of Jesus' humiliation is our true hope. On the other side of Jesus' pain is our true comfort. Why? Because it is on the other side of his temporary death and ultimate resurrection that our true joy and eternal life are secured. Jesus prepared them for the suffering to come, but then gave the hope- filled reminder of the good news of the gospel "but your sorrow will turn to joy" (vs. 20) and "your hearts will rejoice" (vs. 22)

ENDURING COMFORT AND JOY Jesus prepared the disciples for the pain to come and then gave them radical reassurance and hope-filled perspective. As if that were not enough, Jesus also gives enduring comfort and joy. Three times he announced, "you will see me no longer" (John 16:16, 17, 19). And then he told them they would "weep and lament," and be "sorrowful" (John 16:20). Against that dark backdrop Jesus said four times that they "would see him again" and then he said their "sorrow will turn to joy," their "hearts will rejoice," "no one will take [their] joy from [them]," and their joy will be full (John 16:20, 22, and 24).

What is remarkable about all of these statements is that they are statements of intimate knowledge about the disciples' emotions. Jesus knows exactly what they are feeling, and he knows our own emotions as well. Certainly, he knows our emotions because he is God. But he also knows our emotions because he experienced them personally. The writer of Hebrews reminds, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Heb 4:15). Jesus entered into our pain and suffering and experienced them himself.

It is precisely because he entered into our pain that he was able to secure an eternal, unmoveable, unshakeable, and enduring joy for those who trust in him. How? Through his suffering, he overcame suffering. Through Jesus' death, he defeated death. Though he knew no sin, he became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). The reason Jesus can confidently say that they will see him again is because he knows his resurrection from the grave is certain. And it is because of his death and resurrection that sin, death, and Satan are defeated. The result for all who hope in Jesus is an everlasting, secure, never to be taken away eternal joy.

Jesus concludes by pointing the disciples "to that day." Specifically, he is pointing to the day of his resurrection and triumph over the grave, and the day they will see him again. Jesus uses a wordplay regarding the word "ask" in verses 23-24. When he says, in verse 23, "in that day you will ask me nothing," he uses the Greek word "erotao," which means "to inquire" or "ask about information." When the disciples see Jesus alive after the crucifixion, they will know all they need to know about his identity, mission, and purpose. They will no longer wonder or be confused. But the rest of the uses of the word "ask" in verses 23-24 are the Greek word "aiteo," which means to request. In other words, Jesus makes it clear that there will be no more confusion regarding his identity after the resurrection. But he is also communicating the good news of the gospel. Namely, because of his resurrection, they will now be able to approach God the Father and make any request of him as though he were their very own Father. It is because Jesus entered into our pain, suffered and died on our behalf, that we can approach "the throne of grace" with bold confidence, and find mercy (Heb 4:16). On "that day," the disciples' joy will be full, complete, and overflowing (John 16:24).

In the immediate context, Jesus is preparing the disciples for the pain to come and the joy that will eclipse their pain. In the evangelistic context of the Gospel of John, the reader is being encouraged to hope in Jesus' suffering on the cross in order to escape eternal death and experience everlasting joy. In between these two messages, disciples of Jesus are being equipped with rock-solid assurance, hope-filled perspective, and enduring joy that will enable them to face any circumstance.

Quotes To Consider: • "God welcomes our laments…nothing is more freeing than knowing God understands. When we are in pain, God feels the sting in his chest. Our frustrations and questions do not fluster him. He knows all about them. He wrote the book on them. More astoundingly, he invites us to come and air our grievances before him." —Joni Eareckson Tada • "Only Christianity, of all the world's major religions, teaches that God came to earth in Jesus Christ and became subject to suffering and death himself. See what this means? Yes, we do not know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, or why it is so random, but now at least we know what the reason is not. It cannot be that he does not love us. It cannot be that he does not care. He is so committed to our ultimate happiness that he was willing to plunge into the greatest depths of suffering himself. He understands us, he has been there, and he assures us that he has a plan to eventually wipe away every tear. Someone might say, 'But that's only half an answer to the question 'Why?' Yes, but it is the half we need." — Timothy Keller

Discussion Questions: 1. How do Jesus' words in these verses reassure the disciples despite the pain and suffering to come? What confident assurance does Jesus give in John 16:20 regarding the disciples' sorrow? How is this also true of all who hope in Jesus? 2. What encouragement do you find in that Jesus knows your emotions, pains, worries, and fears? 3. According to Heb 4:15-16, what does Jesus' entry into our pain and suffering secure for those who believe? What ought this to bring, according to John 16:24? 4. What is the good news about the joy Jesus offers in John 16:22b? 5. How does looking to the cross and empty tomb encourage and cultivate joy during any circumstance? 6. What fears do you have about facing trials, adversity, and suffering? Do you feel you can bring those feelings to God? What does your answer to those two questions reveal about your heart? 7.