This passage reveals that Jesus has a joy for us that replaces sorrow, a joy that takes away pain, and a joy that cannot be taken. This joy can be known by you and I in our everyday lives through a relationship with Him. Even if the plan God has for bringing about that joy isn't what we would expect or ask for, Jesus explains in these verses that Jesus is going to set all things right again. Advent is a temporary state that prepares all of us for an eternal one.
READ
John 16:16-22
16 “In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.”
17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us: ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me,’ and, ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What is this he is saying,‘In a little while’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”
19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me’? 20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.
• Jesus likes to talk about what we need, not necessarily what we want.
• Think of a time when you got exactly what you needed precisely when you needed it, and share with your DNA.
• Advent is a placeholder for the journey Jesus took when he went and came back. Is there a time in your life when you feel like God had left you, but it was only to prepare you for his return?
REFLECT
1) "The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Have you ever considered that your troubled soul is actually a biblical contrast necessary for experiencing and anticipating a greater hope to come?
Do you tend to think of yourself as "poor and imperfect" or "totally fine and capable"? Why do you think the Christian is told to know themselves as in need?
2) "This wonderful promise, "I will see you," is given to those to whom he was shortly to say, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." The enjoyment of his presence is bound up with mission in his name. At this point mission merges into celebration. Those who long for a deeper experience of the presence of Christ may find here the road to that blessing, a new commitment to serve the world in his name. He is the Lord of the mission and is to be found still at the frontiers where his people confront and minister to the wounds of the world." - D.A. Carson
What wounds in the world do you feel most called to heal?
Does it bring you joy to know that God's plan for your mission is to merge it with celebration?
Do you long for a deeper experience of the presence of Christ? How do you align yourself with that desire daily to deepen that connection?
DNA CHALLENGE
Commit to joining our church family for 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting
CHURCH WIDE FOCUS: "A Building and Breakthrough"
FAST FROM THIS — Wednesday skip a meal or two with us.
PRAY THROUGH THIS — "For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." 2 Corinthians 13:8
ASK FOR THIS — The Holy Spirit to be poured out on our community.
