A Reflection on John 16, Isaiah 54, and Making Disciples. In John 16:19, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about going back to the Father.
“In a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again… You will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”
I try to imagine how the disciples must have responded to this. They were being asked to prepare themselves for weeping and mourning over what would happen to Jesus, their Teacher, their Friend, their Lord. They would witness the world’s rejoicing over His crucifixion.
As a disciple of Jesus today, I find that things are not all that different. I still weep and mourn over the death of Jesus, and over the reality that so many rejoice in unbelief.
“The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.” (John 16:9)
Yet Jesus promises something more. He says their grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.
Perhaps that joy comes when we realize Jesus truly is the Savior and that His death made a way for sins to be forgiven. Perhaps the joy comes when we remember that He is now with the Father, preparing a place for us to be with Him. Or perhaps that joy comes when this temporary body finally gives way, and we leave this fallen world to be with Him for eternity.
Jesus continues in John 16:21:
“It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.”
Many mothers can relate to this—the pain of labor replaced by the overwhelming joy of holding a newborn child.
As a disciple who is not a biological mother to any children on this earth, this verse speaks to me a bit differently. It brings me back to Isaiah 54:1:
“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song… For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord.
For me, “the pains of labor” reflect what it means to live in this fallen world—the pain, suffering, and brokenness that sin brings. But those pains will be replaced by wonderful joy because Jesus has made a way. Even now, as we walk this earth, the suffering caused by our sinful nature and the brokenness around us can be met with hope when we fix our eyes on Christ.
And one day, that joy will be made complete when we are finally with Him where He is. John 14:3, 17:24
When Jesus speaks of bringing a new baby into the world, I’m reminded that He had already told the disciples He must go to the Father so the Advocate could come. This “new life” is the life we receive when we are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives birth to new life within us.
Scripture makes this clear in John 1:12–13:
“But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
Every disciple of Jesus has been reborn by God Himself. This is not a physical birth, but a spiritual one. And while only God can create new life, He graciously invites us to participate in the birthing process. When we share the Gospel message, our words give way for the Holy Spirit to bring new life in Christ. The old life dies, and a new life begins.
This is spiritual motherhood.
As disciples of Jesus—now indwelt by the Holy Spirit—we are called to obey the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” In other words, we are called to help give birth to new believers.
Through discipleship coaching, I have had the honor of walking alongside many women - some child free or childless - especially in 12-step recovery and among new believers growing in their faith. Though I myself am child free/childless, the Lord has graciously given me spiritual daughters, women I have helped disciple as they grow in their knowledge of Christ.
“Break into joyful song… for the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband.” (Isaiah 54:1)
I hold this verse close as I continue to say yes to Kingdom work and Kingdom coaching. Isaiah 54:2–3 goes on to say:
“Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense… Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.”
When my husband and I purchased Ebenezer Acres, we did so with this calling in mind: to enlarge our home and make room for the work of God. It has become a place to host a church, house missionaries passing through, bring women into deeper relationship with the Lord through coaching, discipleship and worship events, and a holy place to walk alongside those God brings through our doors.
As I reflect on these verses, I am overcome with the wonderful joy Jesus speaks of. I am deeply grateful to have the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at work, helping me give birth to new life as I continue to grow as a disciple who makes disciples.
May all of us, as Kingdom women, remember the sacred calling of motherhood in all its forms—and the eternal impact of raising up new life in Christ.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Where have you experienced grief in this world, and how has Jesus met you with His joy?
How is the Holy Spirit bringing new life in you—or through you—as a disciple of Jesus?
Who might God be calling you to walk alongside as you continue living as a disciple who makes disciples?