Lent is traditionally a season of self-denial. Many millions of Christians every year give things up, or make extra sacrifices. Why? Sadly, there is much misunderstanding of Lent’s true purpose. It’s not to earn brownie points with God – as if that would ever work! It is certainly to identify with Christ, in some very small way, on his journey to the cross. However, the other main reason is to increase our gratitude and joy. As we willingly forego things we might have come to see as ‘rights’, we remember again that most of them are privileges, blessings. We choose the path of ‘death’ in order to experience the joy of ‘resurrection.’ Our grief turns to joy.
Something similar is about to be experienced by the disciples in today’s passage. Jesus has already told them he is going away, but only temporarily (13:33, 14:18-19, 14:28), and he repeats this promise at the start of our text: (v16) ‘In a little while you will see me no longer, and then after a little while you will see me.’ He knows that this will cause them pain: (v20) ‘You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.’
Their pain is partly born of confusion. We know the end of the story: after the cross comes the empty tomb. The disciples did not: (v18) ‘They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”’ Jesus has been their whole world for three years; it is impossible to imagine life without him.
This time, then, Jesus is much clearer about the certainty of their reunion: (v22) ‘Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again…’ Not only that, he is more definite about the effect of this reunion: ‘…and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.’
For the disciples, the primary outcome of the resurrection is joy. Sheer joy. Joy which no-one can take away, and which is also complete (v24). It is good for us to be reminded of that, too. The resurrection produces many things: the ultimate proof of Jesus’ divinity; the defeat of death; the Great Commission, followed by the ascension of Jesus to heaven; as well as the subsequent power of Pentecost and the pouring out of the Spirit. These all require Jesus’ resurrection to be effected, and praise God that they are! But let’s not forget the most simple outcome of all: joy. After the cross, the empty tomb. After death, resurrection. After grief, joy.
‘Your grief will turn to joy.’ Whatever season we are in at the moment, including whatever causes us to grieve, let’s receive again today the gift of resurrection joy. Jesus has defeated death and is with us always. ‘Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.’ Amen.