Question of Faith
6 min read
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.”
John 16:19-20
Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and asking. And so His response to their questions must have been incredibly frustrating to the disciples. But Jesus told them only what they really needed to know.
The disciples wanted to know exactly what was going to happen. And that is a very natural, understandable attitude to have. The Man whom they had been following as THEIR Messiah—the Man for whom they had given up everything—said that He was leaving them, but also that they would seem Him again “in a little while.” THEIR plan of following Jesus into death or glory was suddenly at risk, and the outcome uncertain.
But it’s interesting that they were so focused on what “in a little while” meant (verse 18). It’s as if they wanted to know how much time they had to “plan” for whatever came next until they saw Jesus again. But they had no idea what they would be “planning” for. Or it’s as if they were wondering how much time they had to take a break from following Him until they saw Him again—as if to ask, “Can I finally use my vacation days now, after three brutal years of ministry?”
Jesus told them only and exactly what they really needed to know. And if they had listened to His response on those terms, they might have understood that what Jesus was saying was, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t worry about what’s next—even if you face persecution. Have faith. I got you. Just don’t forget to love each other!”
That has very much been Jesus’s response to me every time I pray, “What’s next? What do I do? Show me the details. Show me the plan. Can I give You the perfect plan that I came up with, Jesus? When can I take a break?”
My questions must amuse Jesus to no end. But He is gentle and kind, because He knows how hard it can be for me and for all of us. He knows that following Him will at times lead to weeping and mourning and grief. He knows that following Him at times will lead to uncertainty and doubt about the future. He knows that following Him will at times feel like it was all for nothing.
But He tells me, “Keep following, and keep your eyes and ears and heart on Me. And one day, all of that grief and mourning and weeping and uncertainty and doubt and despair that you may feel will turn to unspeakable joy when you see Me.”
I can’t wait. But I will.
Father, You know the end from the beginning. You know the end from the beginning for me. Who am I that You would be mindful of me? I know that none of it is about me, and yet, all that You have done is for me. Forgive me when I lose trust and faith and become dejected. Thank You for reminding me in those times that my mourning will turn to rejoicing when I see You. In my impatience, I want to see You now. In my lace of faith, I want to know everything now. But I know that Your kingdom will come, and Your will will be done. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
