John 16 - Africa Study Bible

Evagrius Ponticus (ad 345–399), also called Evagrius the Solitary, was a Desert Father. As one of the most influential theologians in the late fourth-century church, he spent the last seventeen years of his life in the Egyptian desert at Kellia. He wrote:

If you are a theologian, you truly pray. If you truly pray, you are a theologian.

The Blessings of the Resurrection • John 16:20-30

Death is never a pleasant experience for those left behind. Jesus was about to die on the cross, and he warned his followers that his death would be soon. They did not want to believe it, for they thought he was a king who had come to save the nation of Israel. In fact, he was a King who would save them—but he would save them in a different way than they expected. Jesus explained that when he did actually die on the cross, his followers would suffer terribly and they would not understand. But then their grief would turn to joy (John 16:20-22). That joy is the joy of resurrection. Yes, we who believe in Jesus will have the joy of eternity in heaven with him.

Traditionally, Africans did not speak evil of the dead, and they ensured a decent burial for their relatives because they believed in the power of the dead. They sought to appease the dead and ask their favour for protection and prosperity.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we think differently. Jesus says that at the Resurrection, there will be joy unending and complete satisfaction. Because Jesus rose from the dead, there is no situation or hardship we face where God cannot help us. The joy that his resurrection brings us can never be taken from us. We no longer need to call on our dead ancestors. We only need to ask Jesus for assistance. He is our living Friend.