May 24Purposeful Pain

John 16:16-22 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
 
THE disciples are confused and afraid. To this point, Jesus has talked about one betraying him. He has spoken of going away to prepare a new place for them. He promises a Helper will come to teach and guide them. Now he says, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” What does that mean? Again, this is Jesus preparing his friends for the incredible trauma of his death. Enormous emotional pain will flood their hearts. Fear will threaten to dislodge their faith. In the midst of their grief, he assures them joy will replace their grief. After just “a little while”, they “will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”   
   The childbirth illustration is to help the disciples through the pain. We can endure pain, even welcome it if it leads to something new and better. Jesus reminds them of a mother’s pain through childbirth. But what happens when the child is born, and the pain is gone (or greatly diminished)? It is forgotten because of the new life the mother joyfully holds in her arms. The joy of this new life far outweighs the painful birthing process.
   Grief and fear will cut through the disciples’ hearts when Jesus brutally dies. But in “a little while” they will experience the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. When they see him out of the tomb, it will be as if Jesus just came from the womb of the earth. the disciples will know the truth of, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) They will understand “a little while” was just three days. And they will know the joy Jesus promises is eternal. Yes, they will believe and understand John 14:4 “You know the way to the place where I am going.”
    I know this is very hard to understand. But suffering is sometimes a purposeful tool God uses to birth us from our old life into the new. If you reject this truth, consider how the Father caused the Son to suffer, so you could become a new creation in Christ. Remember these disciples became suffering, martyred servants. Know God’s kingdom has advanced for 2,000 years through tremendous opposition. Only when men and women are willing to suffer for the gospel’s sake does the gospel advance.
   If you are dealing with some form of pain and suffering, please remember two things. One, Jesus has come from heaven to purposefully suffer and die. He is fully aware of your suffering.
   Two, seek, pray to know the purpose for your pain. Perhaps it has been to bring you closer to Jesus. Perhaps it is to teach those who care for you. Submit to God’s purpose and trust your Lord. Know truly it is only for “a little while”. Eternity’s joy is forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for healing for the those who are suffering and the anxious today. Show them the way to your comfort and joy. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.