The Joy of Jesus' Resurrection Lasts Longer Than a Little While - John 16:16-22

 Preached to the saints at Mount Olive Lutheran and Grace English Lutheran Churches in Bovey and Marble, Minnesota on Jubilate Sunday, April 25, 2021:

Jesus knew they desired to ask him, so he said to them, “Is it concerning these things you are seeking with one another, that I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me? Amen, amen I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your grief will become joy.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Four weeks after Easter and we are still celebrating the victory of the one who died in our place, for our sins, upon the cross and then rose from the grave. He has taken away the reproach for our rebellion. He has granted us full forgiveness in His Word and Sacraments. His living promises carry us through each day until our own resurrection on the Last Day.

Why, then, does it feel as if we are going backwards? Must we continue hearing about sufferings, sorrows, and trials? Why are we back in the upper room before Jesus suffered and died as if it hadn't happened?

The fact is, we need to hear these things precisely because Jesus is risen. We still live in a world gripped by sin, hatred, and violence. Our lives are not peachy and perky – they are not easy. We must address the great difficulties of life, but always knowing that the resurrection of Jesus is the final word. And it is a word of comfort and assurance.

In the last hours before the cross, Jesus’ focus was not on Himself but on His disciples - and on you. He was about to go to the Father in His death, to present his own sinless and holy body and blood as the pure sacrifice for our sins, and He wanted the disciples to be prepared for what was coming. He didn’t want them to have any surprises. He tells them plainly: A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me...you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.

This is a good word for you, too. Remember that You have all been chosen and baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Word and Promise of God has united you to the pure Son of God - just as He was raised from the dead, so you may walk in newness of life. At the same time, you are a sinner - living with sinners - in a sinful world. This is the life we must live - a life under the cross in a world that is set against Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel. So be careful, be watchful, be on your guard so that the hatred of the world and the sorrows of life do not tempt you to bury Christ again.

It’s what we experienced this past year as churches were forced to shudder while abortion clinics were allowed to go about their murderous business. Still today, churches are increasingly criticized for upholding God’s desire of marriage, the objective truth of man and woman, and our continual confession of life in the midst of death. You may know of other things you hear and see, like words, ideas, or phrases that you know are not in conformity with the truth revealed in God’s holy Law and freeing Gospel, but held up as joy by the world. You have frustration in your mind, pain in your heart, and sorrow to your spirit. Even though Jesus is risen and living, sitting at the right hand of the Father and ordering all things by His Holy Spirit through His absolute Word, you have sorrow now.

So it is good that we go back to those places where Jesus has spoken of these things. We go back to Jesus’ words of promise, comfort, and assurance. He tells you exactly what to expect - and what will come from it. A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me … Amen, amen I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.

For the disciples that evening, Jesus is referring to the sorrow that will overcome them. They will be separated from his physical presence and touch. It will feel as if the last three years was was all for naught as they watch Jesus nailed to a cross to suffer the immense shame and a gory death necessary to pay for our sinful rebellion. They will feel immense grief as Jesus is placed into a tomb. For three days they will be in sorrow. But, as Jesus says, this will only last a little while - and the joy of Jesus’ resurrection will last longer than a lifetime. A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while you will see me. You will be sorrowful, but your grief will become joy. you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice; and no one will take your joy away from you.

Throughout the rest of their lives, as the disciples looked back on these words of Jesus and three days was just a little while. The joy they received in Jesus’ resurrection and His living promise strengthened them to endure all the sinful world threw at them - imprisonment, persecution, and even execution. Jesus was right: no one could take away the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection from them.

So also, we. We live so long after His cross and empty tomb and it is easy for us to forget. Life hurts, and we suffer personally. Violence grows. We are filled with sorrow for ourselves and sorrow for others who struggle with poverty, illness, and grief. Death still happens. We feel it, and it hurts. Too quickly we want it to go away - but are we then denying the lessons and endurance that God is teaching? Too often we look for the Lord in all the wrong places, seeking him in the laws of men, or in our own, easily manipulated feelings. We seek him everywhere but where he has promised to be. We must repent for our dwelling in sorrow and seeking an escape in anything but the cross of Jesus and trusting that all is not in vain.

We must hear his Word and Promise – Jesus is Risen and Your sins are forgiven. At His appearing, we will see him as He is, with new, resurrected eyes. We will see Jesus - Then our hearts will rejoice; and no one will take your joy away from you, because the joy of Jesus’ resurrection will last longer than a little while - it will last for all eternity.

Unlike the disciples that night, you have the privilege of knowing all things in the light of Jesus’ own suffering, death, and resurrection. Be confident that what he has said will come to pass - and trust in Him. Remember the many times before when the God who has created you, saved you, and continues to strengthen you has carried you through difficulty, trial, and pain. Remember how often He says in his word: You have sorrow now - but I will turn your sorrow to joy, your grief to gladness, and your death to life. And also think of this: It’s no coincidence that the night Jesus gave these words was the very same night he gave us the Sacrament of His Body and Blood - given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins, to strengthen you and keep you in the one true faith unto life everlasting.

As you wait for his return and are daily strengthened with His gifts, cling to the Words given to us here, keep them in your heart and in your prayers: you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice.

I love this movement in the text. Jesus says first that the disciples will see Him and they will rejoice - and here he says, “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice.”

Hear his words. Trust in His promises. And know that Jesus’ eyes are fixed upon you - his face is turned toward you - and his care continues in your weaknesses; his life continues in your death. Remember that his promises are from everlasting to everlasting, and cannot be revoked by the passing things of this world. In him, your sins are forgiven; there is nothing standing between you and God’s care. Even if we must suffer for a little while under the cross, we know that the resurrection is just a little while away. Then we will see the Lord Jesus just as he is. That is a promise to keep you strong in trial. That is something to wait for, to hope for, and to live for each and every single day. Amen.