Fifth Sunday of Easter: Gospel, John 16:12-22                         

John 16:12-22

Wonderful teaching may be found from John 14-16 on several topics. But it is not only teaching in the classroom sense of the word. It is quite personal. As the Savior begins to sum things up a bit toward the end of the sixteenth chapter, He addresses the sadness that is creeping into their hearts as they hear and begin to understand that things might not go just as they were hoping.

Jesus is clear with His disciples that He is going away from them. He says to them, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father” (16:16). Mysterious words and they are taken that way. Questions, even doubts, perhaps. But Jesus is going away. Perhaps they are not yet clear on method and timing, but something is going to alter their hopes.

But as is always the case, the Lord speaks just the right words and do you notice when He does, they are so much more than just words? While He probably doesn’t give them all the details they would like, He does let them in on what is most important for them to hear: “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (16:22). And while this is addressed specifically to His disciples in His presence, the promise is ours to ponder and relish as well. “I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (16:22).

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!