John 16:16-24

John 16:16-24 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  One of the best books I've ever read is by Peter Kreeft, called Love is Stronger than Death.  Yes, I once spent an entire Saturday reading a book about death, and yes, I understand that I'm a little strange at times.  Kreeft moves through different understandings of death, and one of his points is that death is similar to childbirth.  When a fetus is inside the womb, the womb is all it knows -- it's familiar.  The sounds, the feel -- it is home.  Birth is a transition into a completely alien world where existence is entirely different.  If you gave a fetus a choice, it might prefer to stick with what is known rather than move into the unknown (especially once it hears about telemarketing).  But we'd all agree that life in this world is better and richer than life in the womb. 
  So it is with death.  We know life in this world, and for all of its flaws, it's hard to imagine something else.  It's a transition into something unknown, and it's understandable to be fearful.  Jesus, however, is assuring us that all will be well.  We can rest confidently in the assurance of the fact that our joy will be full and no one will take that from us.  While it's uncertain what that resurrection life will be like (and we can pick up on the struggles to communicate the uncertain in the first parts of this passage), we can be confidant that Christ has secured the way forward and promises the fullness of the Kingdom to each.