Holy Tuesday
Read
John 16:16-33
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.”At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. 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.
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. 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.
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Reflect
In this passage, it appears the disciples are looking for security based on their ability to understand what Jesus was saying to them. They wanted to know what was happening and kept asking and wondering, looking for reassurance and peace until Jesus responded. Once He explained in more detail, they said, “now we know.” Their belief and trust in Him grew as they gained more understanding. Jesus had been speaking to them in figures, but now they acknowledged He was speaking to them plainly and they believed He was from God.
This is so like us! We think that God has to explain what we're going through, and then we'll feel secure. Our peace wants to rest upon a certain knowledge of what is happening. But our Lord is very careful to point out that this kind of peace is very insecure when related to our circumstances.
Often we believe we need to understand everything and appear like we have it all together. We can attend church and appear like everything is fine; plaster on smiles, raise praise hands, offer “I’m blessed” responses, and not acknowledge the struggles we face.
As you read through this passage, what are the two main things Jesus said we would have in Him?
Jesus is clear that we will have hard times and we will struggle. Those things can’t be avoided. There is great freedom in realizing this. No one has it together; no one’s life is perfect. However, “your sorrow will turn to joy” (verse 20) and “in me you may have peace” (verse 33).
Why will our sorrow become joy and we find peace? (Re-read verse 33.)
What joy! What peace! Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, said that He has overcome the world! Peace is not experienced by understanding our circumstances; rather, we experience peace by knowing and believing Christ. Jesus promises this peace in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” The peace of God looks different than the world portrays. Seek Him alone to find peace in whatever trial you face. Find your joy in Him. It will be found.
This is so like us! We think that God has to explain what we're going through, and then we'll feel secure. Our peace wants to rest upon a certain knowledge of what is happening. But our Lord is very careful to point out that this kind of peace is very insecure when related to our circumstances.
Often we believe we need to understand everything and appear like we have it all together. We can attend church and appear like everything is fine; plaster on smiles, raise praise hands, offer “I’m blessed” responses, and not acknowledge the struggles we face.
As you read through this passage, what are the two main things Jesus said we would have in Him?
Jesus is clear that we will have hard times and we will struggle. Those things can’t be avoided. There is great freedom in realizing this. No one has it together; no one’s life is perfect. However, “your sorrow will turn to joy” (verse 20) and “in me you may have peace” (verse 33).
Why will our sorrow become joy and we find peace? (Re-read verse 33.)
What joy! What peace! Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, said that He has overcome the world! Peace is not experienced by understanding our circumstances; rather, we experience peace by knowing and believing Christ. Jesus promises this peace in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” The peace of God looks different than the world portrays. Seek Him alone to find peace in whatever trial you face. Find your joy in Him. It will be found.
Respond
Level 1 (designed for children)
When we look at a clock we want to know what time it is. We might be running behind or waiting anxiously waiting for a time to arrive, but in all cases, we want to know where we are at in the day. Jesus’ disciples wanted to know more information too. They asked each other what did Jesus mean by “a little while” when he said it. Jesus reminded them that a time would come for sadness, but that through faith, their sadness would turn to joy. Let this small clock be a reminder that we will have times of sadness and feeling alone, but Jesus brings joy. When we have our hope in Jesus, we can KNOW that the time of eternal joy is coming. A time will come when Jesus comes again, and rather than watching the clock wondering, let’s focus on sharing the love of Jesus with others.
Level 2
John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” What do you want to ask Jesus for today? Pray and ask in His name, trusting Him whatever the outcome.
level 3
Peace comes from knowing Christ, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to teach and remind us of our victory in Christ (see John 14:26-27).
How do you want to grow in your knowledge of Christ and reliance on the Holy Spirit? Pray and ask God to reveal one step you could take to grow in this.
How do you want to grow in your knowledge of Christ and reliance on the Holy Spirit? Pray and ask God to reveal one step you could take to grow in this.
