Sorrow turned to Joy

 

Grace Fellowship Chapel

 

Therefore, you now have great sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. And in that day, you will ask me nothing. Most assuredly, whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:22-24 (NKJV)

                              

Jesus speaks to His disciples. The words He uses speak volumes to those who believe in Him.

 

 you now have great sorrow

 

            The disciples thought that they would have more time to learn from Jesus, to aid Him in preaching and observe Him healing those who came to Him.

 

            In a similar way, when we lose someone in death, we are never fully prepared. We go through a time of grief.

 

 I will see you again

 

Jesus states these words to the disciples were not fully comprehending His words.

 

 your heart will rejoice

 

Jesus tells them that they will be overjoyed when they will see Him. They must have been confused by these words. How can someone be sad and then rejoice? I imagine they looked at each other with the same question in their minds. “How can this be?”

 

 your joy no one will take from you.

 

Jesus tells them, and us, that the joy we will have when we see Him is so great that it is permanent in our souls. He gives us our joy.

 

 whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you.

 

Jesus instructs the disciples that His Father will honor all supplications and requests that they make, in Jesus’ name to Him.

 

Praying to God for anything in Jesus’ Name tells God that we are praying in the manner that Jesus would.