October 20th | John 16

I love coaching my kids in sports. I have been a baseball coach, basketball coach, soccer coach, softball coach, and I’m sure there will be more to come! But one thing that is always a struggle in coaching is reminding players that to get better at something requires work. To win a championship is preceded by many days in the batting cage, hours shooting jumpers, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get better. The phrase is often used, “No Pain, No Gain.”

In John 16 Jesus was reminding them of the joy of having the Holy Spirit but they could only have the Holy Spirit, if Jesus left. The pain of Christ leaving them seemed too much to bear but Jesus reminded them that it would be worth it. Then he foretold His death and resurrection. The disciples couldn’t understand it very well.

John 16;18-22, ““Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

The pain and sorrow of Jesus’ death would sting and hurt. Yet, the joy of their reunion after the resurrection would be incredible. For us, we endure pain on this earth. There are hardships, difficulties, and trying times. Yet, we must remember that this pain produces in us faith to trust God. Ultimately, as our faith grows, so will our joy on the day when we meet Jesus face to face.

Whatever trial or suffering you face today, remember that Christ endured the pain of the cross so we could experience the joy of the resurrection. So whatever pain you might face, realize Christ will one day turn it to joy.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”