Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-7; John 16:12-22

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Sometimes, we’re not ready to hear what someone has to tell us. Whether it’s for the sake of maturity or a lack in understanding, we’re not always told everything. Especially when we were children, our parents would try to keep harsh realities from us so we had the chance to maintain our innocence. This withholding of information isn’t meant for harm, but rather out of love so that even good information at the wrong time doesn’t lead one astray.

Consider that in faith, we all become children again at first. There are new things to learn, hard truths that aren’t always digestible. We’re not always ready to hear what God has to tell us. This doesn’t mean that we’ll never learn. It simply means we must “grow up”, gain the understanding and maturity to handle it first. 

In our Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples that he can’t tell them everything he wants to because they’re not ready for it now. Jesus withholds information from the disciples because he loves them and knows it wouldn’t help them at this moment. Rather, Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come,” John 16:13. Jesus doesn’t leave his disciples without a teacher, a companion even. For Jesus knows his time with his disciples is limited and that his departure will be hard for his followers.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you know it is the last time. We know this sorrow well because we know that everything in this life is finite, temporary. Having to say goodbye is a regular occurrence for us and having the finality of such words affects us greatly. Whether it’s losing friends to moving, or losing family to death, or losing relationships to disagreements or the like, there is much sorrow over the loss. This isn’t even to consider the other sorrow we face in everyday life. The pain and suffering that come about because life is finite, temporary, or short is overwhelming. As Jesus said, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy,” John 16:20. 

Jesus knew that his time with his disciples was limited. They wouldn’t understand at the moment why Jesus would leave, but Jesus knew it was for their good and for ours. As Jesus said, “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me,” John 16:16. Jesus would be taken from the disciples by his death on the cross. They would no longer see him because Jesus would die for their sins, and for ours. Yet, as Jesus foretold, again a little while, and you will see me! Jesus wouldn’t remain dead, but would be raised from the dead! But we deal now, not with Jesus’ death, but his ascension into heaven. For a “little while” we shall no longer see Jesus because he has been taken from before our eyes, yet we look forward in a “little while” when Jesus shall return on the clouds. Even though we have sorrow now, we also have joy knowing that Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit and that Jesus shall come again on the last day!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!