Daily Bread

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

¹⁶ Jesus went on to say, “In a little while^(A) you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”^(B)

¹⁷ 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,’^(C) and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”^{(D) 18} They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

¹⁹ 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’? ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn^(E) while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.^{(F) 21} A woman giving birth to a child has pain^(G) 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. ²² So with you: Now is your time of grief,^(H) but I will see you again^(I) and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.^{(J) 23} In that day^(K) you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.^{(L) 24} Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,^(M) and your joy will be complete.^(N)

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively,^(O) a time is coming^(P) when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name.^(Q) I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me^(R) and have believed that I came from God.^{(S) 28} I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”^(T)

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.^{(U) 30} 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^(V) that you came from God.”^(W)

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming^(X) and in fact has come when you will be scattered,^(Y) each to your own home. You will leave me all alone.^(Z) Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.^(AA)

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.^(AB) In this world you will have trouble.^(AC) But take heart! I have overcome^(AD) the world.”