Wednesday, March 28, 2007

John 16:16-33 (The Message)
16"In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me."
Joy Like a River Overflowing
17-18That stirred up a hornet's nest of questions among the disciples: "What's he talking about: 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? And, 'Because I'm on my way to the Father'? What is this 'day or so'? We don't know what he's talking about."
19-20Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.
21-23"When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions.
23-24"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
25-28"I've used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I'll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language. Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I've revealed to you. I won't continue making requests of the Father on your behalf. I won't need to. Because you've gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly. First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father."
29-30His disciples said, "Finally! You're giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won't have to put up with our questions anymore. We're convinced you came from God."
31-33Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

As usual, the disciples are confused at the way Jesus teaches. He has been talking about how the disciples will not see him in a day or so but then they will see him another day or so after that. We can understand their confusion when we remember that the disciples did not yet understand that Jesus was going to die and then be raised to life again.
Jesus tells the disciples they will experience sadness while the rest of the world is happy. We know that is what happens: the disciples are sad when Jesus is crucified, but the rest of the world is happy.

Jesus also gives the disciples some instructions about prayer. The disciples are to ask God the Father for things in accordance with Jesus’ will and in Jesus’ name. Jesus no longer has to be go between God the Father and the disciples; because of the disciples’ faith in Jesus they can go directly to the Father.

Jesus knows that despite his best efforts at preparing the disciples for his death, they are going to leave him when things get tough. He also knows that God the Father will never leave him, even if things are tough. Jesus gives the disciples this reminder: they will still face trouble in the world, but there is hope and reason to rejoice, Jesus has already overcome the world. His resurrection (being raised to life after having died) will soon prove it.

Just as the Father never abandoned Jesus, the Father will never abandon us. Like the disciples, we can face the troubles of the world. We know that Jesus has overcome the world.

During your day today, you or someone you know will face trouble or difficult situations. How can you remind yourself or someone you know that God never abandons you in your times of trouble and difficulty?