Here is an important lesson for all disciples.
The Gospel of John: John 16.16-33
Read and meditate on John 16.16-18.
Jesus spoke cryptically to His disciples on several occasions. Here again He told them something they would not be able to understand when He told it, but that would become clear before too long. His words contain an important faith principle.
16“But now, in just a little while, and you
will not see Me; and yet you will again
see Me in just a little while, for then
I go unto the Father.” 17Some of His
disciples wondered, saying, “What is this
He says to us, ‘A little while and you
will not see Me; a little while and you
will see Me yet again, because I go
unto the Father’? 18For we do not know
what He is saying.”
– John 16.16-18
Reflect
1. What do you think: Why did Jesus tell His disciples things He knew they would not be able to understand at the moment, but that would become clear to them later? He must have thought that doing this would strengthen their faith in Him. Why would He think that? Complete this prayer: Lord, there’s plenty I don’t understand at present, but I know that…
2. Meditate on 1 Corinthians 13.12. What did Paul mean by this? Why can’t we just see everything clearly? How does God’s speaking to us like this help us to grow in faith and obedience? I only know in part, Lord, but the part I know, let me…
3. Well, what was Jesus saying to them? First, what did He mean by “A little while, and you will not see Me…” Why not? He had told them this before (cf. Jn. 14.1-4, 28; 16.5-7). Why was it so important to Jesus that His disciples should be prepared for this? Why was it important to them? Lord, these must have been hard words for the disciples to hear. Surely they were saddened and disappointed. But sadness and disappointment are part of being a disciple, as when I…
4. Then, what did Jesus mean by “…and again, a little while, and you will see Me…”? To what was He referring. Why didn’t He just say that? Why the focus on “seeing” Jesus? Would the disciples have understood the idea of resurrection from the dead? Would they have understood seeing Him again? Why was it important to Jesus to emphasize their seeing Him again? Why would it have been important to them? Meditate on 1 John 3.1-3. Lord, You have promised that I will see You one day just as You are, and then…
5. This may seem like a small matter, but it’s not. Jesus never did or said anything that wasn’t significant. In essence, he was teaching this lesson to His disciples: You will know strife and sorrow, but joy and rejoicing lie beyond that. Accept the one, and look forward to the other. Live the joy you will have forever even in the hardships of the moment. This is an important principle of faith living. Meditate on Hebrews 12.1, 2. How can you see that Jesus was only counseling His disciples what He Himself was doing? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.
Summary
“But then, if one examines, these are words of consolation: ‘Because I go to the Father.” For they show that his death was only a translation. And more consolation follows, for he does not say merely, ‘A little while and you will see me no longer’ but adds, ‘A little while and you shall see me.’ In this way he shows that he would return, that his departure would be for a brief time only and that his presence with them would be everlasting.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)
What Jesus was saying obliquely to His disciples here, He said clearly in verse 33. We must prepare for trouble in this world – sorrow, disappointment, even suffering. But we must at all times look forward to the promise that we will see Jesus again, and when we do, we will be like Him. How can you apply this faith principle in your life today?
Closing Prayer
You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.
My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;
I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the LORD.
Let your heart live forever!
All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.
For the kingdom is the LORD’s,
And He rules over the nations.
Psalm 22.23-28
Psalm 22.23-28 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
All you who fear the Lord, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.
For He has not despised the anguish of our King,
Nor from Him hid His eyes, Who knew such suffering.
Let praise arise from all who love and serve the Ruler of the skies!
The suff’ring King shall eat and praise with us the Lord.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!
All nations shall repent and hasten to the Lord;
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The Lord is King! His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!
T. M. Moore
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.
