The Sorrow Won't Last

Jesus was speaking words of encouragement and truth to His disciples that night as they walked from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane.(1) Earlier that night, He had used the traditional observance of Passover to teach His disciples new truth. And His teaching did not stop when they left the upper room, it continued throughout their journey.

Allow me to point out that Jesus never wasted a moment or a motion. Nothing with Jesus is perfunctory. No moment of traditional “religious” reflection passes without Jesus using it in our lives to open our eyes and hearts to His truth. No journey we take is solely about the journey. Jesus uses every moment of the journey to reveal His truth about Himself and about ourselves. His reflections along the way are not purposed to scold us or defeat us. His words to us throughout the journey are intended to lead us to a greater understanding of Him, as He draws us closer to Himself. Jesus knew what was ahead for His disciples. He was using that time to prepare them. He knows what is ahead for us, as well – and He is using this time in our respective journeys with Him to prepare us.

i wonder how attentive the disciples were to all Jesus was saying. Were they even listening? Remember, they had no idea that He was about to be arrested, nor that in several hours He would be nailed to a cross. They were tired – it had been a long day – and a long week. They were anxious – not because they had an idea of what was ahead, but because Jesus’ words to them were portending times of uncertainty. As a result, their anxiety was distracting them from hearing all of what Jesus had to say. Since they didn’t know what was about to occur, they didn’t have context for what He was saying. We experience those same challenges as we take up the cross to follow Jesus. We can become tired – or anxious – or lack understanding because we don’t know what’s ahead. In the midst of the journey, hold onto the truth that Jesus is always preparing us for what lies in our road ahead. He knows exactly of what we will have need. So, lean into Him. Listen attentively and – if you are able – write down what Jesus tells you through His Word. That simple act of journaling will help you remember His promise – His truth – when the time comes.

Jesus was teaching them important truths about joy and sorrow. He knew that, in just a few hours, the disciples would scatter in fear. He knew the next day they would be grieving over His death and be fearful about their own lives. He wanted them to know that though “in a little while you won’t see Me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see Me again.”(2) Though He would die, and His enemies would rejoice in thinking that they had been victorious, He, in three days’ time, would rise again and return as the Victor. He wanted them to hold onto His promise even when everything looked dark. He wanted them to remember that the journey would not end in death, it would end in resurrection. Thus, they could be confident that though they might sorrow for a season, “joy would come in the morning.”(3)

But Jesus’ promise was not only regarding His three days in the tomb; this promise was also about the days that would pass before He returned to establish His Kingdom on earth. Those days too would pass, just like His days in the tomb. In the meantime, the Father would send His Spirit to indwell, to comfort, to encourage and equip as they – and we – walk through those days. But, though they – and we – would experience sorrow – and for some, hatred, ridicule and persecution – those days too would come to an end – and they would end in joy. Just as He promised to rise again from the grave, He promised to return again, and they – and we – must walk in the joy of His promise. Though we look back on His resurrection from the tomb with sight as a historical fact, we too, look forward to His return with the same eyes of faith as the disciples that He was encouraging that night.

But His promise of joy in the midst of sorrow went even further. He likened the pain that we will endure throughout these days until He returns – or until we are with Him – as those of “a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.”(4) Pain is a part of the process. It can’t be avoided. But the pain will not endure indefinitely. It will be transformed into joy. Jesus was not minimizing pain, suffering or sorrow. He acknowledged their reality. But He was assuring the disciples – and us – that it will not last. It will endure – perhaps for a season – but then it will be gone. Our pain will not be replaced by joy, it will be transformed into joy! And when it is, that joy will remain for eternity. Pain and sorrow are real – but they are finite. They will end. But the joy that comes “in the morning” will endure.

If you are a follower of Jesus and are walking through sorrow or trials, or have tears in your eyes, be assured that this is not the end. He has promised joy – joy that will endure for eternity! In that day, our joy in His presence will exceed and overshadow any sorrow we may have experienced in our lives on this side. Remember, we may have sorrow now, “but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”(5)

In the meantime, i want to point you to a song that will encourage you in this truth. It’s entitled “Truth I’m Standing On.” Below are the lyrics and a link so you can listen to it. Take the time to be encouraged and refreshed by this message in song.

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This post is adapted from Taking Up The Cross, chapter 40. This fifth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain a copy of the book.

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(1) John 16:16-22 (NLT)

“In a little while you won’t see Me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see Me again.” Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does He mean when He says, ‘In a little while you won’t see Me, but then you will see Me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does He mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” Jesus realized they wanted to ask Him about it, so He said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see Me, but a little while after that you will see Me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to Me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”

(2) John 16:19

(3) Psalm 30:5

(4) John 16:21

(5) John 16:22

Photo by Mohammed Nasim on Unsplash

Truth I’m Standing On

Scared, oh I thought I knew scared
But I'm so filled with fear
I can barely move

Doubts, I've had my share of doubts
But never more than right now
I'm wondering where are You

Here on the edge of fall apart
Somehow Your promises
Find my troubled heart

This is the truth I'm standing on
Even when all my strength is gone
You are faithful forever
And I know You'll never
Let me fall
Right now I'm choosing to believe
Someday soon I'll look back and see
All the pain had a purpose
Your plan was perfect all along
This is the truth I'm standing on

Good, I believe You're still good
Even when life's not good
I will not lose this hope

That the God who parts the sea
Promises He's gonna
Make a way for me

My rock, my shield, my firm foundation
I know I will not be shaken
You remind me
Where my help comes from

Songwriters: Matthew Joseph West / AJ Pruis / Leanna Crawford

Leanna Crawford – Truth I’m Standing On (Official Lyric Video)

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