” But because I have said these things to you, sorrowhas filled your heart”–John 16:6
” I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace”–John 16:33
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
These are the words that the Disciples of Jesus heard as recorded by John. I find it interesting, if not a bit puzzling, that these two statements form the boundaries of the chapter. On the front end, Jesus indicates that what He has been teaching them (from 13:32 onward) will result in their “ sorrow.” And then as the chapter closes Jesus states that these very “ things” coming from His lips, initially producing “ sorrow” in their hearts, are intended ultimately to bring them “ peace.”
If you take some time to look at what our Lord discloses to the Disciples in 15:18 through 16:5, what leads to their sorrow becomes quite obvious. If they remain loyal to Him and His truth, they too will suffer, be hated by the world, become outcasts, be scattered due to intense persecution, and even experience martyrdom. On top of all of that, there is the sad news that Jesus is departing and, following His death and resurrection, will no longer be with them as He has over the last three years.
Examining this list of our Lord’s revelations regarding the suffering and difficulties that will characterize their discipleship (and ours), it is easy to understand why the Words of the Savior would produce sorrow, deep sorrow at that! Their Lord will die. When He is raised He will return to the Father. The world will turn against them with an almost inconceivable ferocity. They will likely lose many things that they now treasure, and some of them will give witness to the Gospel by means of their own spilled blood. Who wouldn’t be sorrowful over that!!
The lesson here is that sometimes the Word of our Lord produces the unpleasant emotion of sorrow.
This is the way it is with God’s Word, the Word that we read, study, proclaim, and treasure. There are times when the only righteous response to hearing our Lord speak in the written Word is “ sorrow.” There are occasions when this “ sorrow” is an indication that we belong to His Kingdom, that we are the Disciples of Jesus, that His Word has been welcomed in our hearts, and that we understand that the road we have been called to walk with our King is often filled with pain.
But there is something more going on here that we must not miss!
As Jesus declared in 16:33, there is another intended effect that is linked to His Word. “ These things,” these very same words that shall result in their sorrow, are also the means to their “ peace”!
All that our Lord had spoken to the Disciples was designed to be the very foundation of their experience of “ peace” in this trouble-filled world! If on one hand there would be sadness, an emotion that none would choose, on the other there would be a state of wholeness and well-being, which is the very definition of “ peace.”
This strongly suggests to us that the emotion of sorrow and the state of peace are not at odds with one another! The kind of sorrow that will often (and temporarily, until Jesus returns!) characterize our lives as Christians does not rule out the experience of the very peace that only Jesus can give; the peace that we know only “ in” Him (16:33).
Now, how is this possible? How can we be sorrowful, yet spiritually whole, secure, content, and even at rest (each of these are inherent in the Biblical notion of peace)?
The answer is that our experience of the Lord’s Word is unlike that of anything else that we might read or study! His Holy Word comes to us with divine help, with a “ Helper” (14:16).
Upon the departure of Jesus following His resurrection, the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to be the “ Helper,” particularly as the Teacher of the Word (14:26). And as He, “ the Spirit of truth” (14:17), teaches us and illuminates the Scriptures, we come to know more fully that blessing of “ peace” that we have in Christ. That is, we shall only be at peace as we abide in the very Words of our Lord, “ these things” that He has “ spoken” (16:33), and as we come under the gentle teaching ministry of the Spirit of the Living God!
From this we draw our encouragement for this new Monday.
Jesus Himself has told us what to expect as we serve Him. His Word is clear and shall come to pass with infallible accuracy! On this side of heaven there will be occasions of sorrow, not only as a result of our mistreatment by the world, but as the result of the spiritual surgery that the Spirit will tenderly perform on us as we read God’s Word. As our “ Helper” teaches us and applies the Word to us, sin is excised and we are progressively conformed to the image of our King.
And yet, this is also the pathway to our peace! Even in our sorrow, the Spirit will more closely link us to Christ as we immerse ourselves in the Word. It is in the Word that we encounter our Savior. And as we do, it is the Holy Spirit who will “ speak peace to His people” (Psalm 85:8). And this peace, this incomprehensible peace, this state of contentment and rest, will stand guard over our hearts and our minds as we abide in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
One day, sorrow will be no more. Only joy and eternal peace shall last!
May you have His eternal peace, even today!
I love you all so dearly!
Mike