A Little While

John 16:16-24 “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” Jesus tells the disciples of future events. They discuss it among themselves, not understanding its full meaning. Jesus tries to explain it to them, even before they ask him, “A little while?” We never understand God’s concept of time. He created time; we are bound by it. The analogy of childbirth is so real. Pain is totally set aside after the joy of seeing the new creation. So also is time set aside. For months the days have been dragging out; then suddenly . . . it is time! We too are in a waiting mode. How can we prepare for what is coming? Someday the restrictions placed on us will be lifted. What can we do now to be ready for what is to come? Will we go back to our old way of life? How will we be different? And more importantly, are we ready to see Jesus when he comes for us? Will that be a time of complete joy or the gnashing of teeth? Let us pray: God, give us Your wisdom as to how to spend this time with You. Now we have the opportunity to talk with You and gain understanding of Your word. Help us to stay in Your presence even after our lives change again. In Jesus name, Amen.