Thoughts on the Gospel of John (157) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father. Then some of His disciples said among themselves, what is this that He says to us, a little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me; and, because I go to the Father? They said therefore, what is this that He says, a little while? We do not know what He is saying.
John 16:16–18

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (157)
Jesus told His disciples that He would return to His heavenly Father. Now they learn that He will be away for a little while. The disciples are irritated. They assume that the Messiah that had been promised to them would stay with them on earth forever. They are faced with a mystery, but one that has been solved for us today.

Soon the disciples would no longer see their Lord, but after a short time they would see Him again. In this memorable statement, the Lord uses two different action words: the first is “to look” or “to behold as a spectator”, the second is “to see”, which means “to perceive” or “to discern”. A little while longer and they would no longer look upon their Lord, that is, they would no longer observe His ways and works here on earth. In a few hours He would disappear from the sight of men – in the darkness of the cross and the tomb.

A little while would pass, and the disciples would “see” Jesus again. This seeing is due to the fact that Jesus went to the Father and the Holy Spirit came to earth. Thus, the believers were enabled to see Jesus in a new way. Praise be to God that they can say, “But we see Jesus, ... crowned with glory and honour” (Hebrews 2:9).

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 4:32-44 · John 18:12-18