INSIGHTS INTO THE MYSTERY of the three-in-one come when they will, come not necessarily when we are seeking for that particular revelation; come only when God intends; but come they do. Jesus reveals some of this to his disciples as he nears the cross. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” (John 14:28-29)
Jesus’ disciples have had some two or three years of experiencing the presence of God in ways unique within their culture and experiential background. They have been with Jesus through both joyful as well as very difficult times; they have been present at a multitude of miracles, and, in fact, have performed a few themselves. Because of their proximity to Jesus, they have had their personal worlds painfully stretched beyond what they thought was possible, and that only upon reflection; the rush of events has left little time to them for thought and reflection before the next paradigm-bending event disrupts their already tenuous grasp on their current reality. But the one constant that they have had is the presence of Jesus; his physical presence, his incredible ability to be fully and intimately with them, encouraging them to believe in God in ways deeper than they ever thought possible, encouraging them to believe in themselves and each other in ways they had never previously examined, and opening them to the potential and realities of immersing themselves into the kingdom of God. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26) Every day, every night, he has been with them. But now, he is talking about leaving!
We have the advantage of the objectivity that two thousand years of hindsight provide gazing backward not just at the cross, but especially at the resurrection. And we have the testimony of those who have gone before us, generation upon generation, each adjusting their, and our, worldviews to the realities of the death and new life of, by, and in Jesus. The disciples-not-yet-apostles did not know these things. Jesus had given them hints previously, and as the time grew near, his oblique comments began to change, becoming more and more specific. Shortly after this scene, they will hear him say, “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) And, they will respond, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 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.” (John 16:29-30) But here, now, he reassures them by addressing the relationship that has been established; they love and trust him, and he returns that to them in deep compassion. Binding them to himself more deeply in that precious relationship, he says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17a)
Though they do not, in fact cannot yet understand, he places within them for later remembrance this pre-knowledge of the Godhead, a hitherto unrevealed relationship between not just Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also one uniquely shared with those that God will call his children. That is not what they are hearing at the moment, however—instead, they hear him say that if they continue to love him, and show that in their actions, they will be comforted. This is what they need to hear now. This will be what they can draw their strength from later. Being found faithful in their part of this promise, they will understand the rest at the proper time. And, he prepares them for this transition, which will only happen after he has left them. “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” (John 14:29)
There is something else that Jesus also says, not only to encourage his disciples then, but which also remains an encouragement to the disciples of all generations. We too are united in this same promise with those who have gone before, and in this same hope: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) And this promise and this hope are therefore ours: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Q. Is my heart steadfast? (See Isa. 26:3)
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