John 16:16-24 CSB
"In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me." [17] Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this he's telling us: 'In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me,' and, 'Because I am going to the Father'?" [18] They said, "What is this he is saying, 'In a little while'? We don't know what he's talking about." [19] Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, "Are you asking one another about what I said, 'In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me'? [20] Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. [21] When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. [22] So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. [23] "In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. [24] Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
All Things New
There is a saying: “Wait for the miracle.” Wait for our Loving Father to make things right. Wait for the Father to act powerfully in our lives. We run into trouble when we think that God is too slow, that He does not see, or that He does not care. In those moments, we often take shortcuts against our Father’s will, taking action into our own hands. Whether the results are immediate or take time, actions outside of God’s will are never the “best” He has planned for us.
If we are honest about our past, we decide to take control—to essentially try to become God and take action ourselves. The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible; it is actually found in ancient Greek fables and was re-popularized in 18th-century America. Action is needed in life, but only action founded in the Father’s will. This takes wisdom developed through prayer, studying the Word, and being directed by the Holy Spirit. Often, this wisdom comes from an older Christian who has followed Jesus longer, having either made the mistakes themselves or seen the results of paths taken by others.
In our reading today, the disciples are confused. They did not understand the Father’s will or what Jesus meant by, “In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.” It is easy for us, sitting with the whole New Testament, to judge them and ask, “Why do you not understand?” But they did not have the hindsight we have today. Their confusion was genuine.
Jesus did not berate them. Instead, He spoke words they would only fully grasp when they saw Him again. At this moment, time was slipping: in less than 24 hours, Jesus would be hanging on the cross.
Think of childbirth. Ask any woman about the pain she goes through to bring a precious life into the world. Historically, giving birth was incredibly dangerous; many women died bringing life into the world before modern medical care. Every person should thank their mother for bringing them into this world. That sacrifice earns a mother a special place of love and respect, and it should help us forgive the small wrongs we may have perceived in our lives. When you see a mother after birth, holding her child, you see pure joy. There is rejoicing from everyone around.
Jesus is saying that in just a few hours, the “labor” begins, but in a short time, the Resurrection will happen. The power of darkness will be defeated. Life will be earned for us—not by our own efforts, but by His. Because of this, we have a place as sons and daughters in the Father’s Kingdom. The things we ask for in Jesus’ name will be heard. We just need to wait for the miracle.
It was only hours away.
Reflection Questions
- Can you look back at a time when you “took the wheel” instead of waiting for God’s will? What did that experience teach you about God’s timing versus your own?
- How does it change your perspective to know that Jesus was only about 12 to 15 hours away from the cross when He spoke about “joy”? How can that help you during your own “short” seasons of trial?
- Reflecting on the imagery of childbirth Jesus uses, how does the physical sacrifice of a mother help you understand the nature of the suffering Jesus was about to endure?
Prayer
Father,
I thank You for Your grace. Forgive me for the times I try to “help myself” instead of waiting on Your perfect will and Your perfect timing. I thank You for the mothers who endured the pain of labor to bring us into this world, and I thank You for the even greater “labor” Jesus endured on the cross to bring us into Your Kingdom. Help me to “wait for the miracle” in my own life, trusting that the sorrow of today is merely the preparation for a joy that no one can take away.
Amen.
