Sorrow (John 16:20)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
1 November 2020
Jesus told his disciples they would be sorrowful. This was because they did not understand why Jesus was going away. They had become so attached to him that the prospect of separation produced sorrow.
Sorrow in life is certain. Jesus foretold it. He said “Truly, truly" you will be sorrowful. Sad days are as certain as happy days.
Sorrow is painful. Jesus told his followers they would weep and lament. Be ready to cry.
The root of human sorrow lies in the experience of separation. The disciples would be sad because they would be separated from Jesus. When Jesus was dying on the cross he cried out "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" He cried out because of separation from God the Father.
There was sorrow in the Garden of Eden. Because of sin Eve would bear children in sorrow (Gen.3:16). The context again is separation — this time separation from the Creator.
One of the saddest experiences in life is death. At death the spirit separates from the body. At death husband is separated from wife, children from parents and grandparents, friend from friend. Death is a sad moment because at such a moment there is the agony of separation.
Consider Jesus the Man of Sorrows. He wept over Jerusalem. He saw the alienation of the Holy City from God and was saddened to tears.
But his sadness would not continue. After his death and resurrection he ascended to heaven where he was joyously received. He sits on heaven's throne no longer the Man of Sorrows but the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus said that the world rejoices while his disciples would be sorrowful. It ridicules Christians for believing in a Saviour who died on a cross. So when the world sees the church in seeming distress it rejoices. But the world does not know anything about Christ’s resurrection. It does not know that sorrow can be turned into joy.
Sorrow will most certainly be turned into joy. Christian sadness is short-lived because Jesus the Saviour long-lives. He would rise from death. Therefore his disciples who were presently sorrowful would be later joyous.
Christian joy is inexpressible (1 Peter 1:8). It resides deeply within the believer and cannot be understood or expressed in earthly terms.
Christian joy is lasting. We shall be with Jesus forever (1 Thess. 4:17). There is joy and happiness in heaven where we shall forever be with Jesus.
Do you sense a deep sorrow in your heart? Know that you are saddened because of alienation from God. No need to be alienated. No need to be sad. Jesus has made it possible for you to be reconciled to God your creator. Believe in Jesus. Receive him into your life. Your sorrow will be turned into joy.