TURNING SORROW INTO JOY PART TWO

 

John 16:25-33

Faith, hope, and love are the central

to the Christian’s faith.

 

These are the triad of Christian virtues as Jesus gives His final instructions as Jesus reassures them that they are loved by the Father. During their time with Jesus, the disciples at times failed to understand what Jesus was saying. For example, Jesus said, “And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Matt 15:11

 

But Peter tries and speak for the rest of the disciples, “But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” Matt 15:16

So, Jesus rebukes them, “And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matt 15:16-20

 

Matthew 16 records another example as the disciples forgot to bring some bread, which caused them to misunderstand Jesus’ warning. “When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” Matt 16:5-7

 

They missed the point like a 747 went over their heads, Jesus began rebuking them for their ignorance. “But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 

Matt 16:8-11

  

It was only after that they understood what Jesus meant, “Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matt 16:12

Another example is when they were coming down the Mountain of Transfiguration, and Jesus gave orders to Peter, John, and James not to tell the others what they saw until the Son of Man rose from the dead.

 

But unfortunately, they seized the moment and discussed it with one another what rising from the dead meant. “And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.” Mark 9:9-10

 

Later Jesus would address His coming death to the disciples and they still were confused. “They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.” Mark 9:30-32

 

Even in John’s gospel when the disciples failed to grasp the significance of the Lord’s declaration, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19

 

It wasn’t until they heard “raised from the dead” when they remembered what Jesus said. “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” John 2:22

 

Additionally, they failed to grasp the significance of the triumphal entry. “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” John 12:16

 

Even, last week we looked that they were confused about Jesus, “Not here for awhile, and here for awhile.” John 16:17-18

 

It seems that they didn’t understand some of Jesus saying since He spoke in figurative language. (v25) “figurative language” refers to “veiled, pointed, enigmatic, cryptic sayings to which the immediately apparent.” We know when Jesus spoke like this it was to veil the truth from unbelievers, who were spiritually blind as a result of their own unbelief and own rebellion. That is why Jesus said during His ministry, “Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” Matt 13:10-11. Jesus, who is God in flesh, knows the heart of all people, so there are no mistakes when comes to understanding His Word. (v26-v27) indicates that Jesus wants His followers to know we have direct access, relationship to the Father and that the Father loves us, because we love Jesus, and believe in Him.

 

This is great news for the child of God, because we access to the throne of grace because of Jesus. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:14-16

 

When we approach this throne of grace, we are given

access to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name.

 

This doesn’t mean that believers ask Jesus to the request of the Father on their behalf, as though the Father were indifferent to their request. If that’s what praying in Jesus’ name meant, it would be an enormous privilege. But the full privilege believer’s have is that their requests go directly to the Father. Why? Jesus gives us the answer….”the Father Himself loves you”, because you love His Son. (v27) This goes back to what Jesus said previously, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…” John 3:36

 

Jesus also said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

John 14:33 we read, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

 

The Hebrew writer affirms this, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,..” Heb 5:7-9

 

One of the GREAT FALSEHOODS found in other religious groups like the Roman Catholics is that God is indifferent and harsh to speak too. According to the Roman Catholics, Jesus is committed to justice, but Mary is compassionate, as are the lesser saints. So, Mary takes our requests to the Father, because she knows how to get the Father’s attention. According to www.catholic.com Why we should pray to mother Mary? Answer: Why Pray to Mary? Because Jesus has given us his Blessed Mother as our great spiritual mother (Rev.12:17), a heavenly advocate who intercedes for us. And they do this by appealing to Rev 12:17. “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus…” That is an outright lie and heresy, the “woman” in reference to Revelation 14 is the nation of Israel, and Satan will turn his fury toward new targets, the church, those who put their trust in Jesus. Where the Catholics interpret this text as “the Virgin Mary, seen as the "New Eve" who overcomes the sin of Eve by her perfect obedience to God, rather than Eve herself. The church, and the world, need to understand that Mary, was a sinner like everyone of us in this sanctuary, and around the globe. Mary, was a godly and blessed woman, but she was not without sin. The only person to walk this earth without sin was the perfect Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor 5:21. Jesus is telling us the blessing we have in prayer because the Father’s love us, and we have instant access to the Father. You do not need a priest, me or Mary to seek the Throne of Grace.

 

This was made evident in (v23-v24) to pray in Jesus’ name is not to use His name as a formula, ritualistically that is tacked onto the end of our prayers. Rather, it is, to pray for that which is consistent with Christ’s person and will, and to affirm, one’s complete dependence on Him who supply every need, that Jesus would be glorified in the answer.

 

According to the Scriptures we have full access because 

of the Father’s love through His Son.….

 

John would later on write, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

 

According to Paul its this truth in salvation that we have a boldness to enter into His gates of grace though prayer. “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Eph 3:11-12

 

The tearing of the veil which concealed the “Holy of Holies” is so significant, because we have full access to the Father through the finishing work of His Son. “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matt 27:51

 

The biblical doctrine of “priesthood” of all believer’s eliminates the need to go through intermediaries. 1 Peter 2:9; Rev 1:6. Its the Father’s love, here in the Greek its “phileo” the love parents have for their children, and child for their parents. This expresses a special fatherly love, a love of affection. A love that demonstrated when He gave us His only Begotten Son. And because of that love, we can enter His presence in complete confidence, as children for whom He cares for deeply.

To know this truth is foundational, or is the

basis of our joy and security.

 

When we read their response to Jesus explaining it further in (v29) they seemed be proud of themselves as they finally got it. They understood something of the ministry of the Spirit. They knew He would transform their sorrow in joy, the reasoning for this they were reassured of God’s love. But even understanding this, their knowledge was still filled with shallow confidence. (v32) But the Lord did ask them “Do you now believe?” (v31) a question we need to answer even today. 

The world system is going to attack Christ, and His true church, and we need to be ready that our sorrow will be turned to joy.

 

Jesus believed that His sorrow would be turned to joy in redemption.

Jesus believed that His disciple’s sorrow would be turned into joy.

Jesus believed that as they pray, ask in His name, their joy would be multiplied.

Jesus believed that the Father loved them and He reassured them of this truth.

 

Jesus is saying to you and I this day, “Do you believe” Then cheer up! I have overcome the world. As Jesus prepared to depart this world, He knew that difficult days lay ahead for His disciples and the church age. He wanted them to be ready for the most challenging times they would ever face. Jesus explained how they could endure through the troubles of this life. (v33) The words “good cheer” a more accurate rendering would be “take heart!” and it also conveys the idea of “be courageous!” It is a word spoken to strengthen someone who was facing a hardship or trial. If you translate the verse more literally, Jesus said, “In this world you will go through some distressing times, but take heart and be courageous….” How can we do that? Jesus went on to assure His disciples, “…I have overcome the world.” The word “overcome” comes from the Greek word ni-kos, which can be translated to overcome, but is also the word for victory. However, the grammar used in this verse doesn’t imply a single victory; rather, it denotes a continuous, abiding victory both now, and in the future.

 

Therefore, the idea presented in Jesus’ statement could be interpreted, “I have overcome the world; I am overcoming the world; and I will always be overcoming the world.” Amidst the storms of life in a dark and fallen world, inner peace is only possible through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The disciples could not depend on themselves to survive the trials and persecution they would soon endure. Instead, they would have to rely entirely on Jesus and everything He had taught them while living and ministering with them.

Its through this relationship the disciples would….

Fear for their lives, the disciples would abandon Jesus at the cross (Matthew 26:56).

They would be scattered (Mark 14:50; Acts 8:1)

Be arrested (Acts 5:17–21)

They would be thrown out of synagogues (John 16:2; Acts 13:14–52)

They would face a martyr’s death for their faith in Jesus (Acts 7:54–8:3)

They could endure all this because they would not go astray because they would remember the Lord’s words, “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (v33) The Greek word translated “overcome” also means “to defeat, to win a victory over, as in a contest or military conflict.” The “world” is the created physical realm, the domain of existence here on earth, which is considered distinct from the heavenly or spiritual realm. Jesus knows that here on earth we encounter trouble and sorrow. But He has overcome the world and every earthly obstacle for us.

 

What has Jesus overcome for us in this world? 

Our Anxieties And Cares.

 

Jesus’ victory over the cross is multifaceted. He gives peace to overcome troubled hearts, those who believe in Jesus don’t have to live with anxious hearts any longer. We do this by bringing everything to Him, through the access we have directly with the Father, in prayer. This is why Paul wrote, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7. The Lord’s peace transcends all the confusion, fear, and anxiety of this world like putting a shield set over our minds and hearts.

 

What has Jesus overcome for us in this world? 

Hatred and Persecution

 

The cross doesn’t remove us from the battleground. Of this fallen world system. We know we will face the same hatred that Jesus faced. That is found in the previous chapter. Be of good cheer! We have overcome the world because we belong to God. John would later write to affirm the victory we have over hatred and persecution. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4. Remember when Paul asked the Roman believer’s, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” Paul answers his own question with, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:35-39

What has Jesus overcome for us in this world? 

Sin And Temptation

 

Temptation to sin will always be a part of our lives in this world, but Christ gives us victory over our sin. According to the Scriptures we were once dead in sin, spiritually stillborn void of true spiritual life before the gospel resurrected our lives to repentance and faith. We use to live like the rest of the world, unresponsive to the person and will of God; but in Christ we have overcome this world and our sin. This is why the Scriptures are precious as they reveal to us why we have overcome in this world. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph 2:4-9

 

What has Jesus overcome for us in this world? 

Spiritual Forces

 

Jesus not only paid the price for our sin through redemption, but He also won the greatest battle over Satan and all supernatural powers of evil who align with Satan. The devil has been defeated through Jesus Christ, and as believer’s we wear His armor of victory as a reminder that we have overcome these forces of evil through Him. Paul wrote, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Eph 6:10-20

What has Jesus overcome for us in this world? 

Sorrow and Death

 

This is unavoidable the reality for all people, whether saved or unsaved., but for the believer in Christ, death means something special. Yes, something special, it means victory over our last enemy. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.” 1 Cor 15:26-27. Its through Jesus’ death and resurrection He has overcome the world by conquering death for us. Christ's death grants salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. Remember what Jesus said to Martha? “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26. Its through what Christ has done by overcoming this world and securing our place with Him in Heaven, is the reason our sorrow can turn into joy. Jesus gives us the place to sit, reside with Him, with the Father and with the Holy Spirit. It’s here in our eternal home where we will live with Him in complete joy, with no memory of the presence of sin, sorrow or death.

 

This is what we hope in, who we love and walk by faith in; the only one who overcame this world through His death and resurrection. It’s here we affirm God’s expression of love for His image-bearers; and understand these were Jesus last instructions as He prays for them, before He was arrested. A prayer filled with love, hope and faith, as He faces what would come next, preparing His disciples, just as He prepares us to face this fallen world. With this truth, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”