Lent 2023: John 16:16-33

Sorrow Turned to Joy

16 “In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.”[a]

17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us: ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me,’ and, ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What is this he is saying,[b] ‘In a little while’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”

19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me’? 20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 So you also have sorrow[c] now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Jesus the Victor

25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.[d] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

—John 16:16-33

Read & Journal

Read John 16:16-33. Take a few moments to meditate on what you’ve read. The following questions can help you.

• What do these verses teach you about Jesus, his character or his mission?

• What does this passage reveal about the Holy Spirit or his work?

• Jesus knew his death was impending and these verses were meant to impart final words as well as comfort. How would Jesus’ words have been comforting in that situation?

• How is this passage comforting to you in your current situation?

• Jesus was also sharing final words or lessons with his followers. List some of the important truths he shared. Why are these so important?

• Consider verse 33. What does it mean that Christ has already overcome the world?

• What do you need to trust him to overcome today? Journal a prayer, committing these things to him in faith.