From Mourning to Delight

After displaying their lack of spiritual discernment on several occasions during the night before the crucifixion of Christ, the disciples of Christ were hesitant to ask Him any other question that could have betrayed their ignorance. So when He spoke to them in what they judged to be a very cryptic manner, they took to interviewing each other instead to discover His meaning. The problem was that not one of them had any idea as to that meaning. Jesus Himself confronted them with the question that was exactly what they wanted to ask. But His answer did not bring them the comfort they thought they wanted. He was warning them that there was going to come upon them a severe trial that would leave them in trepidation and deep sorrow. Their anguish would be similar to that of a woman in the throes of childbirth. But when the situation would appear to be the blackest and when all hope would appear to be gone, they would see the Lord again and would experience the greatest possible joy.