Easter IV- John 16:7

The Epistle and the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday after Easter both raise many meaningful points. This time, I would focus on John 16: 7a where Jesus tells the disciples, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away." As on some other occasions, the disciples must have wondered what the Lord meant. They loved, respected, and depended on Him. Despite their limited understanding, they believed that He was the Redeemer. So how could His departure be good for them?

Our Lord gives a general answer in the second part of the verse. His departure, His return to the heavenly Father, is connected with the Sending of the Holy Spirit. The divine plan for human redemption included Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension. Only after Christ completed that work could the Holy Spirit fully come upon the disciples and guide them into their mission for Him. The disciples had to move beyond dependence upon His earthly physical presence. They needed to mature and become less tied to localities such as Capernaum and Jerusalem.

This dynamic still applies to us as Christians. Our risen and ascended Lord watches over us and intercedes for us at the right hand of the heavenly Father, And He comes to us throughout the world by the Holy Spirit working through Word and Sacrament. In this way, He offers us grace to continue His mission.

Easter III- John 16: 16-22

The traditional Gospel for the Third Sunday after is from St. John 16:16-22. These verses are from our Lord's Farewell Discourses to the Twelve on Maundy Thursday,  As on many occasions, the disciples were slow to grasp Jesus' teaching about His death and resurrection. He compares the situation to motherhood. The labor pains are all too real, but the result is joyful. Jesus warns the disciples of the real pain and sorrow of death and separation, but He also predicts the joy of His renewed presence. Our Lord concludes in John 16:22, "And ye now, therefore, have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you" (KJV).

The Easter season focuses on how the disciples come to appreciate Christ's whole ministry, especially His rejection, passion, and death, in light of His resurrection. His sufferings and their separation from Him do bring them great sorrow, but His resurrection brings them profound joy. And this joy is so powerful that it transforms them.  They learn to follow Him in new and deeper ways. Experiencing the joy of His resurrection presence with them, they are empowered to serve Him through all the sorrows and joys of this world. 

The Gospel words about sorrow and joy still apply to believers. We still have earthly sorrows and joys. But there is a great joy which transcends passing circumstances- there is the joy of knowing the presence of the risen Christ with us. Through His Word and  His sacraments, we sense His presence in this life, and we anticipate His presence with us eternally. Alleluia! Christ is risen!