Jump Start # 1121

John 16:21-22 “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

This verse came to mind today. Our daughter is due to have a baby any day. The Bible has much to say about childbirth. It was because of sin that God increased the pain in childbirth. We use the expression ‘labor,’ and most would agree that it is. The Bible also uses childbirth as an illustration, such as our verse today.

Jesus was describing the present and future status of the apostles. They were like a woman in labor. The words found are “pain,” “anguish,” “grief.” This was an emotional time for the apostles. The popularity of Jesus had turned sour. The Jewish hierarchy was bent on eliminating Jesus. The threat of death hung heavy. Jerusalem, especially, was a place that Jesus was no longer welcomed. He knew. He knew what He had to do. He also knew what this would do to the apostles. They would beg Him not to return to the area. He had to. He was on a mission from Heaven that led to Calvary.

Our passage today reminds us of several fascinating truths:

First, Jesus knew. He knew that He was going away (death) and that He would return (resurrection). This was nearly too much for the apostles. They had witnessed Jesus raising the dead but who would raise Him? How can a dead person raise himself? All kinds of questions. If they kill Jesus, what will they do to the apostles? Fear, questions, confusion and doubt. The pains of labor. However, Jesus knew that once He was raised and was with them again, the tears of sorrow would be replaced with the tears of happiness.

As the passage states, after the birth of the child, a mother “no longer remembers the anguish.” This is a qualified statement. Certainly she remembers. Decades later, mothers can recall the events of the birth. Get a group of women together and they often tell stories about having babies. How is it that they “no longer remember the anguish?” Later, after the birth of the child, they are not focused upon the pain of birth. They are so happy to hold that cute new baby. A few years later, a mother will go through the process again. Most mothers would quickly agree that it was all worth it to have their son or their daughter. Their love for that child surpasses the personal discomfort they endured. The resurrected Christ would replace the terror of the dead Christ. Jesus knew.

Second, it is most interesting that it is Jesus who is encouraging the apostles. One would think it would be the other way around. It was Jesus, not Peter, not John, who had to endure the torture of the cross. The pain was felt by Jesus. He wore the thorns. He was beaten. He was humiliated. He was scourged. He was nailed to the cross. They watched. Jesus experienced it. Jesus felt it. Here we find the Lord being the one to encourage, strengthen and build faith in these troubled apostles.

That often happens to us. The one having surgery is the one who encourages the rest of the family. The one who lost the loved one is the one who encourages others. The faith and trust in the Lord often carries a person through difficult circumstances, even to the point where they become the instrument to help and encourage others. Jesus didn’t play the victim. You won’t find any “woe is me,” here. Strong, confident and helpful is what Jesus was. There is a lesson for us. So you are going through some tough procedures, continue to be the pillar of faith. So you experienced some devastating news, be the anchor for others. Keep hope bright in your eyes. Let your voice speak with confidence. How you handle these trying situations can bolster faith and hope for others. Don’t be the victim. Don’t use your difficult times to give up on what you believe and know. Continue on with the Lord.

Third, God sees things that we can not. All the apostles saw was a day coming when Jesus would be gone. They saw clouds and the darkness of doom. Jesus saw the time when He was coming back as the resurrected Savior. They couldn’t see that. Often we can’t see beyond the darkness and gloom of bad news. God can. God sees the cancer in remission. God sees the recovery after the surgery. God sees the soul in Heaven with Him. Could this be one reason why Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes upon Jesus? Maybe we get too focused on the problem at hand and we can’t see beyond that. We can’t see the day the problem is gone. We can’t see the time when things are better. We can’t see Heaven. The Psalmist referred to the valley of the shadow of death. Often, the shepherd would lead the flock from the lowlands to the higher pastures, especially in the summer. To reach those places, they had to go through dark canyons. Valleys. Shadows. Death. The shepherd knew where he was going. The sheep followed, often scared. Once they were in the high country, cooler, better pastures, the sheep were very happy. The shepherd, our Shepherd, can see things that we cannot not. It is a matter of trust.

Fourth, Jesus saw that the joy coming was going to be lasting. No one, He said, would take that away. Someone had at the present. The joy of being with Jesus was about to end. The apostles liked being with Jesus. It was a life changing experience. They saw things that they never would have dreamed of, such as the dead being raised, demons being cast out, the blind seeing. They saw tears replaced with cries of praise and gratitude. A thankful leper falls at Jesus’ feet in gratitude for healing him. A sinful woman washes the feet of Jesus in love and honor. These apostles had been places with Jesus that they would never have gone on their own, such as the homes of tax collectors, or to Samaria. But all this was about to end. Jesus was going to the cross. Someone was taking away their joy. The pain that they were about to feel would be replaced with the joy of the resurrection. No one would ever take that away from them.

The risen Savior would be their message, hope and motivation. Later, these same apostles would be chased, beaten, imprisoned and executed. The joy of Christ remained. James said, ‘count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” Peter said, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed.” Later he continued, “If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed.” No one could take the joy away from them. It could not be driven out, beaten out, scared out, threatened out. They knew. They believed.

Fifth, there is a parallel to what Jesus was experiencing and what we go through. Often, very often, life is harsh and cruel. We experience pain, tears and trouble. The process of death can be painful and scary. But once we are on the other side, once the righteous have made it, it will all be worth it. In some ways it is like flying. Some trips I have been on have been very bumpy. There have been a few intense moments. But once you are safe on the ground, the turmoil of the journey is soon forgotten. The joy of the journey is found in being safe in our destination. For us, it’s Heaven. How we get there won’t matter, once we are there. Some, like the apostles, died violently for their faith. Some have been victims of crime. Some died young. Some died old. Some died with long diseases. Some died quickly. None of that matters, once we are there. On this side of life, we worry about those things. On the other side, it will all be forgotten. The joy of Heaven will surpass any discomforts, hardships and difficulties we had in getting there. It simply will not matter. The joy of Heaven awaits us. The joy of Heaven will be greater than anything else. No one will take that away from you.

Our hearts will rejoice! God knows. The smile will return. Good days lie ahead. Here? Maybe not. There, definitely. The pain of childbirth is forgotten by the joys of the baby. Pray for my daughter as she delivers her baby today or tomorrow. The anticipated joy of this grandfather is running high.

There are many of our readers who are experiencing very difficult times. I hope this encourages you, helps you, and reminds you. Some day all of this will be behind you. The joy that is coming will surpass anything you are going through and it will be so worth it. You’ll forget this some day.

My prayers are for you.

Roger