John has used the phrase "A LITTLE WHILE" 7 times to introduce Jesus' final parable before His Hour. The disciples not only do not understand it, but because of their most recent questions for position and clarity on other matters, timidly murmur among themselves, as if they do not yet know that Christ knows the hearts of all men and can read their very thoughts. James, our Lord's brother, will later speak to this very subject to encourage all who desire wisdom to ask of God, who will not withhold from any who ask in faith rather than murmuring in secret or wavering in doubt. ( 2:25, 6:43, Js.1:5-6)

"LITTLE WHILE" = mikron, meaning "small," referring here to space, or a span of time. First introduced in 7:33, repeated in 13:33, and now, as though hearing it for the first time, questioned by the disciples, thus indicating they had no prior understanding of His earlier mentions. Finally, after their asking, He fully explains, first in a parable (16:21), and then plainly (16:28). It is easy to see by this example just how much the disciples failed to understand His sayings during the course of their walk with Him, and as Mary, kept them to ponder in their hearts, afraid to show their ignorance by asking at that moment. This is not, as they will learn, how He desires His disciples to be with Him. One should never be afraid to ask for wisdom when something is not understood. He is not like many Earthly men who are impatient with their subordinates' grasp of a pertinent matter. James will remember this later, penning for the benefit of others, a lesson well learned for daily confidence.

The disciples' emotions have almost run the gamut of human endurance, from the highs of the Triumphal Entry, to the lows of the recent news of betrayal, persecutions, excommunication and death, and if that was not enough, now His departure. Yet He says He will see them again? They are confused! Is He toying with their emotions? Is this some riddle they must be left alone to solve among themselves? What has He previously said that could lend light on this most difficult saying now? One can only imagine the many questions that must have been electrifying their minds in this moment!

Finally, He says to them that this sorrow which is coming upon them, troubling their hearts, is but a pregnant moment in time, giving birth to their eternal joy that no man will ever be able to take from them. Painful labor is but a necessary experience from which comes the ecstasy of life eternal in fellowship with a loving Father. See the scene here of proud parents holding for the first time that tiny newborn creature of resemblance. Darkness may produce sorrow (weeping or lamenting -- that of a funeral), but morning (light) brings joy! ( Ps.30:5)

This joy must be present in sufficient quantity for strength and success in the hard fight of faith. Nehemiah tells us that this joy is our strength. And Christ specifically desires His be reproduced in His disciples and remain for this very purpose. ( Ne.8:10)

Hear David pray for the restoration of that Joy in his life that Satan and sin had stolen, sapping him of his strength.