IN THE UPPER ROOM WITH JESUS (22)

 

Jesus Confuses His Disciples

John 16:16-22

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Jesus had told His disciples several times that He would be killed and raised from the dead prior to this evening (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19).

 

B.   In the upper room, He told them that He had to go away several times.

 

C.   However, they did not understand that they were on the eve of Jesus’ death.

1.    Judas had been pointed out as the betrayer, but they did not understand.

2.    Jesus had emphasized that He had to go away, but they did not comprehend.

 

D.   As the discussion continues in John 16:16-22, the disciples find themselves confused by Jesus’ words once again.  We have entitled this section:  “Jesus Confuses His Disciples.”

 

I.             JESUS’ COMMENT (John 16:16)

 

A little while, and ye shall not see me:  and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to my Father.

 

A.   In a very unique way, Jesus tells His disciples of three coming events.

1.    Ye shall not see me:  The burial of Jesus following His death

2.    Ye shall see me:  His resurrection from the dead

3.    I go to the Father:  the ascension to the right hand of God

 

B.   He noted that the first two would happen “in a little while.”

1.    His death would transpire within hours.

2.    His resurrection would happen about 35 to 40 hours from this moment.

 

C.   This message was not something new.  Even in this discussion, Jesus had told them that He was going away.

1.    “…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

2.    “…because I go to my Father” (John 14:12).

3.    “…I go unto the Father…” (John 14:28).

4.    “But now I go my way to him that sent me…” (John16:5).

5.    “…It is expedient for you that I go away…” (John 16:7).

 

II.           THE APOSTLES’ CONFUSION (John 16:17-18)

 

Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me:  and again, a little while, and he shall see me, because I go to the Father?  They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while?  We cannot tell what he saith.

 

A.   Some of the apostles were confused by Jesus’ words.

1.    Twice they say:  “What is this that he saith?”

2.    They close with the words:  “We cannot tell what he saith.”

 

B.   Having heard all that Jesus has said, we might ask:  “Why were they confused?” 

1.    The words seem to contradict one another.

a.    A little while ye see me not.

b.    Again, a little while ye see me.

2.    They are not cognizant that the events will happen in a matter of hours.

3.    They have heard so many things that this only confuses them even more.

4.    Sometimes our minds are mentally blocked from understanding even simple things.

 

III.         JESUS’ CLARIFICATION (John 16:19-22)

 

A.   Jesus’ Question (John 16:19)

1.    Jesus’ awareness (John 16:19a)

 

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him…

 

a.    In the previous verse we were told:  “Then said some of his disciples among themselves…” In other words, they did not address their concerns directly to Jesus even though they wanted to

b.    Jesus, however, was aware.

1)    He could have seen them mumbling among themselves.

2)    He knows the hearts of men (Jer. 17:10).

 

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins…”

 

c.    LESSON:  We think we know our hearts, but the Bible tell us that the heart is deceitful above all things (Jer. 17:9).  As deity, however, Jesus knows each of our hearts perfectly and completely.

 

2.    Jesus’ Address (John 19:19b)

 

…and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while and ye shall not see me:  and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

 

a.    Jesus was not spoken to by the disciples, but He knew their hearts.

b.    He did not let this teachable moment pass.

c.    He asked a question that let His disciples know that He knew their thoughts:  “Do ye inquire among yourselves of what I have said…?”

 

B.   The Disciples’ Emotions (John 16:20)

 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

 

1.    Jesus still does not specifically define His words.  He now reveals the emotions that both His disciples and the world would feel in the near future.

a.    The emotions experienced due to His death.

b.    The emotions experienced when He was raised from the dead.

2.    Three points made:

a.    The Disciples’ Affliction:  weep, lament, be sorrowful

b.    The World’s Amusement:  shall rejoice

c.    The Lord’s Affirmation:  your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

1)    Following the Lord’s resurrection, the disciples would eventually experience joy because their Master lived again.  Peter refers to it as “a lively hope” in 1 Peter 1:3.

2)    Before they reached a complete state of joy, however, they experienced many other emotions:  denial, unbelief, confusion, and fear were some of the emotions they felt.

C.   Jesus’ Illustration (John 16:21)

1.    The Anguish (John 16:21a)

 

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come…

 

a.    Jesus’ last words may have caused some more confusion.  He told them they would weep, lament and be sorrowful.  Then, He also said their sorrow would be turned into joy.  How can such a thing happen?

b.    He uses an illustration of a woman who gives birth to a child.

c.    When her hour is come for the baby to be delivered, she has much sorrow due to the pain she experiences.

2.    The Adjustment (John 16:21b)

 

…but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.

 

a.    As soon as the child is delivered, the anguish is forgotten and the woman experiences “joy that a man is born into the world.” 

b.    Sorrow turns into joy.  Sad tears become happy tears. 

c.    Most ladies are more than ready to have another child even if the birth was difficult for them. 

 

D.   Jesus’ Application (John 16:22)

 

And ye now therefore have sorrow:  but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

 

1.    And ye now therefore have sorrow.

a.    Jesus would be arrested.

b.    Jesus would be condemned.

c.    Jesus would be beaten.

d.    Jesus would be crucified.

e.    Jesus would die.

2.    “…but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice…”

a.    Here, Jesus refers to His resurrection.

b.    There are fifteen appearances of Jesus to mankind following His resurrection. 

1)    Twelve of these appearances happened before Jesus ascended to the right hand of God.

2)    Seven of the twelve were to His disciples.

c.    Sorrow was replaced with joy.  Fear was replaced with faith. 

d.    Once the day of Pentecost came, these men never wavered in their belief about the resurrection.  It was the subject of their teachings on numerous occasions.  Jesus was right:  “…and your joy no man taketh from you.”

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   It is intriguing that Jesus never used the terms death, resurrection, or ascension as he spoke with His disciples about His death, resurrection, and ascension.

 

B.   Spiritual truths can be understood and impressed on the mind using different terms.