THE CLOSER JESUS GETS TO THE CROSS , the more often he tells the disciples of his impending death. They usually do not understand; perhaps they are in denial, and simply don’t want to understand. We might see it that way from our perspective, with the clear benefit of two millennium of preceding Christian history, as well as from our own experiential trials engaging with the death of Jesus. But the new covenant had not fully come in their time, nor would it until fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection. Nor had he spoken clearly to them yet. The disciple’s curiosity is strong, but they are timid about asking Jesus to clarify himself. What he tells them next hardly seems to help. “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:20) He will disappear, and then reappear again. They have seen him work miracles; is this to be another, or is he some form of magician?
Jesus gives them a simile about loss, the loss they will indeed experience. He compares it to a woman’s labor pains during birth, a form of agony that men do not know, but can only helplessly observe. They have seen such things. Somehow their grief will be like this. Jesus reminds them, “when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” (John 16:21b) This also will be the way for the disciples, and he tells them, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22) The translation is too literal, and confuses the tense and the sense. Jesus is not speaking of the present moment, but of a fluid moment very soon to come. And then he tells them “In that day you will no longer ask me anything.” (John 16:23a) Because, he says, instead, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23b)
Until now, Jesus has never clarified fully what his death will mean. That begins to change in the next moment. “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.” (John 16:25) Jesus assures them that the Father’s love will be with and sustain them, and tells them, “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” (John 16:28) The disciples have a moment of theophany. “Now you are speaking clearly. This makes us believe that you came from God.” (John 16:29-30) Jesus exclaims, “You believe at last!” (John 16:31)
It would be comforting to stop here. The disciples finally seem to understand, and Jesus is pleased with that. We want to see them enjoy not only this moment, and perhaps pause here, waiting for another scene. Instead, all of this has been precursive to a dark warning. “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered. 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.” (John 16:32-33) Jesus’ tension and compression of time creates a confusing sense of a moment soon to come. But it will come, and they will indeed scatter.
But Jesus will go to be with the Father; they will see him go, and they will begin to put the pieces together; not all at once, but quickly enough. “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:8-9) They will need this seminal moment badly; they have a world-wide church to start.
Jesus’ call to walk with him is always to the purpose of the Father, and that purpose first and foremost is a call to relationship with our Father through his son. (c.f. John 14:6) That was/is always the Father’s intent—to bridge the gap between him and us with someone we could understand, if we just listened long enough, and with belief. After belief comes progressive understanding. Just as Jesus earlier taught the disciples to pray, “Our Father,” so that same prayer teaches us how to begin communing with God . (Matt. 6:9-13) And in praying to the Father, we have the same power and the same promise that Jesus made to his first disciples. “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 16:23)
Q. What is the single most important thing I must ask the Father for in Jesus’ name?
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