The Transformation of Pain to Joy
February 27, 2022
Commentary
Jesus explained how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit’s great work is that of illumination, bringing God’s truth to all men (vv. 12-15). All truth is God’s truth. Man does not discover it; God reveals it as a gift. As we witness in this hostile world, the Holy Spirit takes the Word He has taught us and shares Jesus Christ with the lost. It is our job to witness; it is the Spirit’s job to convict. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and brings conviction to the hearts of men. Jesus promised them that He would go away very soon, but He also promised that they would see Him in “a little while” (v. 16). The disciples were confused by this statement “a little while” (vv. 17-19). Although there are differences of opinion as to what He meant, it seems that He was referring to His brief, forty-day ministry on earth between His resurrection and His ascension. It could have referred to the brief time He spent in the grave after His death on the cross.
Jesus explained that the disciples would weep at His death, but the world would rejoice thinking that they were finished with Christ (v. 20). However, the sorrow of the disciples would be turned to joy through the resurrection. He used the illustration of how pain in childbirth is followed by the joy of new life when a child is born (v. 21). The disciples were entering the process of pain, but the light of joy was just ahead. You may be very sad now, but later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel (v.22). God brings joy to our lives, not by substitution, but by transformation. Most of us know what it is like to have an unhappy child with a broken toy. If a parent always buys a new toy each time the old one breaks, the child will grow up expecting every problem to be solved by substitution. We cannot mature emotionally or spiritually if someone is always replacing our broken toys. Jesus did not say that the mother’s sorrow (pain) was replaced by joy, but that the sorrow was transformed into joy. The same baby that caused the pain can also bring much joy.
Application
I want the trials of my life to be transformed into joy. Just as an operation may be necessary and cause pain at the time, it will bring good health and joy later. It was not a joyful time when I had a gallbladder operation a few years ago but it has brought many years of joyful living since then.
John 16:12– 22 (NET)
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you. 16 In a little while you will see me no longer; again after a little while, you will see me.”
17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is the meaning of what he is saying, ‘In a little while you will not see me; again after a little while, you will see me,’ and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they kept on repeating, “What is the meaning of what he says, ‘In a little while’? We do not understand what he is talking about.”
19 Jesus could see that they wanted to ask him about these things, so he said to them, “Are you asking each other about this—that I said, ‘In a little while you will not see me; again after a little while, you will see me’? 20 I tell you the solemn truth, you will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy. 21 When a woman gives birth, she has distress because her time has come, but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the suffering because of her 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 away from you.