Day 286: John 16:1-24

I’ll never forget when my husband woke me up in the middle of the night in so much pain.  I had to hurry and throw some clothes on and get him to the hospital.  It turned out that he had a kidney stone.  I have been fortunate to not have ever had a kidney stone, but I have heard that the pain is very similar to what it feels like when a woman is in labor with a child.  The big difference is that once the child is born, the pain goes away.  There is an amazing joy when holding that precious child in your arms for the first time, especially after the nine months of waiting and often times long labor.

In John 16:1-24, Jesus is trying to explain to his disciples that he will be going away to be with His Father.  Even though he will no longer be with them in the flesh, he will send the Advocate – the Holy Spirit in his place.  The Spirit will always be with them, guiding them, and providing a peace beyond their imaginations.  Jesus really confuses the disciples (and us too!) when he says to them, “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while and you will see me.”  It is here that Jesus makes the analogy of a woman giving birth to a precious child with the pain we will face when Jesus is crucified, but when we see Him again, we will rejoice! 

I don’t know about you, but I look forward to experiencing “Complete Joy!”  (V.16:24)  I have been fortunate to experience the joy of giving birth to a child…but “Complete Joy?”  Everything would have to be so perfect.  There would have to be no pain, suffering, tears, unjust, or anything that could break our hearts!  “Complete Joy” feels as though it would be unfathomable for one to even begin to comprehend!

Again, Jesus tells us that if we ask for anything in His name, it will be given to us.  “Ask and you will receive!”  If suffering means that in the end I will have “Complete Joy,” then Jesus… bring it on!