PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 19 – May 26th to June 1st 2008.
Reading – John Chapter Ch16: verses 17 to 24.

From Grief to Joy

Jesus said; “I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into gladness. When a woman is about to give birth, she is sad because her hour of suffering has come; but when the baby is born, she forgets her suffering, because she is happy that her baby has been born into the world. That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again and your hearts will be filled with gladness that no one can take away from you.” John Chapter 16: verses 20 to 22. (Good News Bible)

As a Chaplain to the PGA and as a minister in the church one of your unique roles is helping people through grief when they have lost a loved one. Many years ago now, Stuart Appleby’s wife died unexpectedly in an accident and one of our chaplains assisted with the funeral. Ross Herbert coach of the Australian Institute of Sport Golf program died from cancer at 41 years of age and I was able to offer assistance during his illness and funeral. As a member at Oatlands Golf Club I have helped out with a number of funerals.

Never in any of these circumstances would I say to the family that your grief will soon be turned to joy, you will see your loved one again. Nor have I heard any family member say this. We simply do not have authority to say such a thing, and to deceive people in times of grief is wrong to say the least.

Jesus is having one of the last few conversations with his disciples before his arrest and eventual crucifixion. He is trying to prepare the disciples for the tragedy of his suffering, betrayal, humiliation and death. In the bigger picture though he wants to re-assure the disciples that their grief will be short lived. Their grief will eventually be turned into joy when they see Jesus alive again after his death. Jesus gives an illustration of his; of a woman giving birth, who goes from great pain in labour to joy when the child is born.
How could anyone say such a thing; of saying they will rise from the dead? Who has authority to be able to say that they are more powerful than death? Jesus has.

We would love to be able to say such a thing but we cannot because we do not have the power or authority. When you are part of a funeral and grieving friends and family, you would do anything to be able to say they will come back to life in a few days.

Paul a follower of Jesus and leader of the early church wrote a number of letters in the New Testament. In his letter to the church at Rome Paul talks about human weakness when it comes to doing right and inevitable death. He says: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans Chapter 7: verses 24 and 25 (New international Version).

Paul is teaching us here that Jesus who has risen from the dead gives the same gift to those who believe, who have repented of their sins and who follow Jesus. Jesus has rescued us from a hopeless situation and this gives us great joy.

While we have no authority in ourselves to say we can rise from the dead, Jesus gives us authority to say that all who turn to Christ, believe in him, repent of their sins and follow Christ will in fact rise from the dead and live life to the full.

Prayer. Thank you lord Jesus you can turn our grief into joy, because you overcame death. Amen.

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