seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
John 16:16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus was with His Apostles. There were probably a few women around, but they aren't counted or mentioned. [Probably because in the days John, the author, was writing this Gospel, women were not counted.] I didn't highlight verse 21... but that's what helps me understand there were probably women in the room. A man is never going to understand childbirth. Jesus would have chosen a different subject for a parable spoken just to men. Men would never understand labor pains. Right ladies?!?!?!
We don't know if they are all just walking along or if they are still in the Upper Room cleaning up after His last supper. We do know Jesus is explaining their place in the mission [they carry the Word when Jesus leaves] and He's also warning them that they will be persecuted, and they will have to hide or die.
Look at verses 25-28. Now remember, I'm not a preacher. I've never been to Seminary. I was raised in the Baptist Church [American and Southern]. I've been reading these verses since I was old enough to play the "look up the verse" races. So, these are just my thoughts based on what I was taught as a child and learned as an adult.
I read the commentaries. They say "this is probably" in their answers. So, they don't have a clue either, right?
Anyway, I want to draw your attention to verse 26. Jesus won't have to intercede for us anymore. It has to do with adoption. Jesus was the natural son of God. He was born into the family [or created to be the family]. BUT, once Jesus is done with His Mission, He will be able to introduce us to His Father, and if we are Believers, He will be introducing us to "Our Father".
Now if I had to ask a favor, would I choose someone who knew me, or would I choose a total stranger? When a child is adopted, they get to ask, "Our Father". We can go right to the source. Jesus is not going to have to intercept for us. Jesus will do the introduction but that's it. The Spirit will stand by us, but we will be talking right to "Our Father".
The Apostles have to scatter. If they stayed in the same spot, helping the same people, preaching the same sermons, blessing the same babies, the Word would never go anywhere. They had to scatter so the Word would spread. By spreading out, the Word could go Global.
They still didn't understand. Jesus could see it in their eyes. They wanted to know, because Jesus was so important to them. They just couldn't. Jesus said everything would soon make sense. He wanted to warn them, they would spread the Word. That was their assigned Mission. To accomplish the Mission, they would have to scatter. They would have to be persecuted.
They will face "Hide or Die".
