Grief Turned to Joy

'“Let me make it quite clear: You will weep and be overcome with grief over what happens to me. The unbelieving world will be happy, while you will be filled with sorrow. But know this, your sadness will turn into joy when you see me again!” John 16:20 (The Passion Translation)

In John 16:16, Jesus said to the disciples, “Soon you won’t see me any longer, but then, after a little while, you will see me in a new way.” The disciples, confused and talking among themselves, wondered what Jesus meant, to which he replied with today’s verse. They will experience the sorrow at the events of Christ’s passion and death, but they may take comfort and rejoice at the thought of seeing him again. 

At the same time, those who cried "Crucify him" and demanded the release of Barabbas rejoiced at Jesus’ death. Their joy, however, was fleeting, rooted in worldly desires and misunderstandings of Jesus’ mission. Unlike this temporary happiness, the disciples' eventual joy would be eternal, grounded in the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of salvation.

Although at this point, the disciples didn’t fully understand the significance of Jesus' resurrection. Despite His teachings and predictions about His death and resurrection, they struggled to grasp the full meaning until after the resurrection itself. For instance, Luke 24:38-43 describes how Jesus revealed His wounds and ate with them to confirm the reality of His resurrected body. This pivotal moment clarified that Jesus' resurrection was unlike any other. Unlike Lazarus, who was raised only to face death again, Jesus rose as the ultimate conqueror of death, never to die again.

Jesus’ words were not merely a promise for the disciples. They are an enduring truth for all Christians. God often turns our sorrow into joy, just as Jesus described with the metaphor of a woman in labor (John 16:21)—her pain gives way to joy when her child is born. This reflects how God’s work transforms suffering into something meaningful. Whether it’s grief over loss, trials in faith, or moments of despair, our sadness can become joy when we trust in His promises and see His hand at work.

For modern believers, the resurrection reminds us that sorrow is temporary when viewed through the lens of eternity. Revelation 21:4 paints a powerful picture of this eternal joy: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” This promise of eternal life through Jesus assures us that the joy we experience in Him is not fleeting but everlasting. When we face sorrow today, we can hold onto the assurance that God’s promises will prevail, leading us to a future where grief is no more.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope we have in Jesus' resurrection. In our moments of sorrow and confusion, remind us of the joy that comes from trusting in Your promises. Help us to see Your hand at work, transforming our pain into purpose and our grief into joy. Fill our hearts with the assurance of eternal life and the peace of knowing You are always with us. May the Holy Spirit guide us and strengthen our faith, just as You did for the disciples. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim