John 16:21-22 21Whenever the woman gives birth, she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22Therefore you yourselves also have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
In verse 21, Jesus illustrates the truth of verse 20, about how the disciples’ mourning will turn to joy, using a short parable about a woman about to give birth. Before the invention of modern anesthesia, childbirth was significantly painful. A new mother forgets all her pain when the newborn baby is placed into her arms. Many Old Testament passages use a similar image for the experiences of Israel. The image of birth pains before the great joy of new life illustrates how Israel faced challenges before experiencing the joy of God’s delivery. The disciples may not have understood in their minds what Jesus said, but their experience would impact their heart and bring great joy that could not be expressed in words.
Jesus gave them more assurance in verse 22 and applied the parable to their situation. The disciples’ grief was now, but joy was just around the corner. Jesus had already told me them he was going away, but it would be temporary because he would see them again. Their grief would be temporary, but their joy would be eternal. When he would be with them again, everything would be different. A new existence would be available to all who believed. The new birth he promised would be offered to the whole world because he gave himself on the cross. The change in the disciples would begin in their hearts. Although the world could harm their bodies, their spirits within would be kept safe through their abiding in Jesus.
Joy is not dependent on outward circumstances. Faith will help us not let the world pull us down into fear, doubt, and grief. The situation of the disciples in the next few hours is unique in all of history, but we share in the same wondering about when Jesus will show up again. His words to them are his promise to us: I will see you. He will not leave us as orphans or abandon us. The disciples awaited the resurrection, though they did not understand it all. We await the parousia, though we do not understand it either.
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