We continue our study of the Gospel of John. John is quoting the words of Jesus spoken just before He was captured, falsely tried, beaten horribly, sentenced to death, and crucified for us.
“Jesus went on to say, ‘In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.'” (John 16: 16) Jesus was, of course, talking about His death, which was just a few hours away, and His resurrection, three days later. Jesus used the comparison of a woman giving birth to a child. The pain she suffers during that time is great, but the anguish of it is forgotten as the joy of the new birth becomes reality. He said, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16: 22)
When the Disciples saw the Lord die they thought all was lost.
They thought All hope was gone. The grief and pain were beyond words. But when they saw Him come back to life three days later, and walk in a body that could walk through closed doors; when they saw the nail scared hands and feet, and saw the wound in His side, and they knew without a doubt it was Jesus, they experienced the joy of a new birth, a new life that was beyond comparison. It was like they were born again into a life that the world had to hear about. Nothing could ever take their Joy away. (From John 16: 17-22)
At that time the Lord gave them some more good news. He said, “Very truly I tell you my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16: 23-24). We who believe in Christ now ask for all things in His name, because we believe in the power in that name. The power of salvation, the power of peace, the power of provision, the power of prosperity and health in body, soul, and spirit, the power of propitiation. He said, “Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” Amen.
And He gave them some more Good News. He said, “In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me, and believed that I came from God.” (John 16: 26-27) The Good News is we now go personally to the Father. The Lord Jesus is indeed our intercessor, but we go directly to the Father because the curtain of separation was removed when the Lord said, “It is finished.” Father wants us to be face to face with Him as we love on Him, and He on us. Jesus made that possible.
There is so much Good News in the Word. Jesus is the Good News. He is the Word Let us share it at every opportunity.?