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.”
This is a heavy subject.... death is a heavy subject.... Jesus would be dealing with death. The experiment with Lazarus had shown a lot of promise... but hey...this is death and Jesus is "still human".
This is from the easy English site.
Jesus knew that, a few hours after this conversation, he would die. Then, the disciples would not be able to see him. But, three days later, he would show himself to the disciples. He would be alive again and they would see him.
Jesus had warned them before about his death. But they did not understand that he was referring again to his death. They did not ask him what he meant. Instead, they talked to each other about it. Probably, they were tired because it was late at night. And Jesus had said many things that they did not understand. So they were confused.
So Jesus explained what he meant. He told them that they would feel very sad. The events that would happen soon would upset them greatly. Then they would be sad, because he would not be with them. But while the disciples wept, many other people would be happy. They would be happy because they hated Jesus. They had wanted him to die. But the disciples would not be unhappy for a long period of time. After three days, they would see Jesus again. Then they would be very happy, because he had defeated even death!
As I have said... over and over and over again.... Jesus knew everything that was going to happen before it happened. I'm surprised He didn't just bust out laughing at the ignorance all around Him. I figure the only thing that kept Jesus from bursting out laughing was the plan... it wasn't part of the plan. Jesus said Himself, He didn't do anything that the Father didn't tell Him to do. All of this was planned.... even not laughing at ignorance.This conversation is taking place, according to the commentaries, a couple of hours before His arrest. If He just let things play out... and let the disciples deal with the horrors of life on their own... they would have been devastated. He had to tell them what was going to happen so they wouldn't freak out, pull out their swords and start a war. Some of them thought He would lead them into battle against the Romans.
The tomb was where the majority of the Mission would happen. Jesus was not here to heal all the sick or feed all the hungry. He said Himself... there are always going to be poor people who need a kindness. Jesus was here because Adam and Eve misbehaved and allowed death to get loose. Jesus had to undo what they did because God promised them He would do it. To conquer death... Jesus had to go to the cross.... and then the tomb... and then walk out..... that was His real Mission.
Jesus needed someone to watch what was going on in the Tomb. If they all just figured they were wrong.... and went home...and forgot all about Jesus because He wasn't who they thought He was.... then the Mission would fail. People needed to know Jesus conquered death..... so they could have hope. So, by explaining what would happen.... that this was only temporary.... they wouldn't revolt too much when He was arrested.
If Jesus hadn't forewarned them..... The disciples who were looking for a "political king like David" would have just figured they were wrong.... they would have just wandered off to join up with Barabbas.... who already had an army ready to take on Rome. If the disciples of Jesus had joined up with Barabbas and stormed the Temple and the Palaces... they would have died in battle and the Mission would have failed... the Mission only works if there are people to spread the Word.
So... a couple hours before His arrest.... Jesus sat them all down and told them.... "Look the next few days are going to be rough. I'm going to be arrested. I'll be back though. Don't worry.... I'll be back." I wonder if they thought He would be "released on bail". They would be in for a shock when they saw Him on the Cross.... who can come back from there?
Jesus also needed to tell them that some people were going to really have a field day over finally arresting that Sabbath Healer. How dare He heal people on the Sabbath... that was work and work was not allowed.... and it broke the rules, regulation, policies and procedures the Temple Leaders put in place so no one would make God angry on their watch. He knew people would be making fun of Him while He hung naked on the cross. That humiliation was part of the plan as well. How is Jesus supposed to forgive that hateful humiliation if He didn't survive it in the first place. On Judgement Day.... Jesus will be able to say.... "hateful humiliation is no excuse.... been there... bought that t-shirt and went on with the plan".
In these verses... Jesus told His disciples that they would soon be able to pray "in His Name". That's only confusing to us because we have always be able to pray "in His Name". Since I was twelve I have depended on that "extra". Back in the days of Jesus, though, they couldn't pray in Jesus Name... because Jesus hadn't finished the Mission.
Now... don't mess up this Bible Study by thinking that praying to win the lottery and adding "in Jesus name" is Biblical.... that is just dead wrong. Jesus is not promising His disciples that they will have nice cars, good looking arm candy, and a fine home. He's saying... "If you need to heal someone then pray "in My Name" and you'll be able to heal them". There were some demons too strong for the disciples to deal with.... but after the tomb.... their upgrade would kick in and they will be capable of all kinds of "supernatural" stuff. Healing and feeding the poor would come easier.
Jesus was forewarning them that things were going to turn upside down for a while. They would hear a lot of mean things. They will witness a horrible crucifixion and they will feel lost. Jesus told them to "have faith.... I'm going to be arrested.... but I'll be back". They thought He would just "make bail" but His Mission was to usher in eternal life.... and He had to do that while He was "still human".
