There was definitely going to be sorrow. They would be crushed with grief. Tears would flow. Their hearts would ache. The sky would be black, and the storm would be felt. While the world cheered, they would weep. But not for long. Just a little while, and then —
Then what?
Christ was alone with His disciples in the Upper Room the evening before His crucifixion. He had been sharing some final words with them before His departure. Now He says to them:
“A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while and you will see Me.” John 16:16
You can almost see their faces squirm into that distinct muscle contortion that says: “Pardon me? What was that again? I’m not sure we understand.” They turn to each other and ask: “Do you know what He means?”
Jesus knew they were perplexed and confused. He said words to this effect: “You’re wondering what I meant when I said that in a little while you won’t see me, but in a little while you will see Me?” (John 16:16)
What did He mean? Well, there are three ways it could be understood:
- He would die, but after three days, they would see Him again as the Resurrected Christ. That was true – Hallelujah!
- He would be leaving them physically, but He would send the Holy Spirit. In a deeper way than ever before, they would then see, perceive and know Him by faith. That was true, too, praise the Lord!
- Jesus was going back to Heaven, but He would be returning for His people. (The Second Coming of Christ). And that’s true, too!
All three of the above are true.
Then He said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. John 16:20 ESV
When Christ hung upon the Cross, the hissing laughter of Satan reverberated throughout his dark kingdom. When Christ died – the world rejoiced. Finally, He was gone!
Interestingly, many well-intentioned people pray today, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven….” But never forget this: when someone came to earth and daily did the will of God here as it is done in Heaven – earth’s inhabitants could only take it for 33.5 years. Then we crucified Him. The world rejoiced that He was dead.
But there were a handful of others who reacted differently. Heaving with sobs, crying till no more tears flowed, heads stuffed with congestion from excessive weeping and faint with sorrow, with drooping shoulders and heads bowed low, they wearily walked home. Crushed, devastated, overcome with grief – the bottom had dropped out of their lives. He was dead. It was all over.
Or was it?
Sunday morning. The tomb was empty. It wasn’t a gardener who said: “Mary!” Later that day, it wasn’t a ghastly ghost who entered the upper room and said to the disciples: “Peace to you!” It wasn’t all over after all!
And dear child of God, it’s not all over today! Christ is alive. Your sorrow is deep, but it’s also temporary. Had you told the disciples late Friday night, or on Saturday or even early Sunday morning before their day started to ‘cheer up,’ they would have been irritated beyond measure.
“How insensitive can you be! We just know in our heart of hearts that it’s all over. We have no more reason to live. Don’t try to encourage us. Nothing good could ever come out of this, and nothing good will ever happen again.”
But in a little while, their sorrow did turn into joy.
In a little while – dear Child of God. Read 1 Peter 5:10.
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you – in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
