The difference of a little while

1. Absent & Seeing (v16-18)

a) “A little while/no longer see Me”- “see”- v10, careful observation like an interested spectator, “again a little while/you will see Me”- seeing & perceiving the significance. Either His ascension & outpouring of the Spirit AND/OR His ascension & 2nd Coming.

b) In our impulsive, instant gratify culture, we need the reminder to wait patiently for a little while (Heb. 10:37).

c) As they were walking along towards the Garden some of the disciples discussed their confusion about what He meant by that statement & by, “because I go to the Father” (14:12,28, 16:5)

d) There are truths the Lord has spoken that confuse us. The Spirit of Truth is present to guide us into a greater grasp of these truths.

2. Sorrow & Joy (v19-22)

a) Jesus knew His disciples were deliberating about His statement and that they wanted to question Him. Instead of elaborating on timing, He spoke of the transformation in their emotions/spirit.

b) “Truly, truly”- solemn statement. “weep” used of loud expressions of grief especially in mourning over a death, “lament”- used of funeral dirges. This will be the experience of His followers, while the lost people of the world will be rejoicing. One can see how this happened until the outpouring of the Spirit, but also through Church history.

c) Those who believe in Him will grieve, but our grief will be turned into joy. Jesus used the metaphor of a woman experience the grief/pain of labor. After she delivers the baby, she forgets the pain/grief over joy that her baby was born.

d) Grief will be part of our life, but He will return and see (“you will see Me” v16b, 17b,19b) us again. Then our hearts will rejoice and no one will be able to take our joy away. During this age, the world rejoices, while Jesus’ followers experience grieve/sorrow with joy from the Holy Spirit (I Thes. 1:6). When Jesus returns the world’s superficial joy will end, but His own will experience fullness of joy. Wait and remain faithful for “a little while.”