John 16:
16. A little while, and you will no longer behold me; and then, in a little while, you will see me.
17. Some of his disciples started saying to one another, “What is this he is telling us; A little while, and you will no longer behold me; and then, in a little while, you will see me? and: Because I am going to the Father?”
18. They said therefore, “What is this ‘little while’, He is saying? We do not know what he is speaking.”
19. Jesus knew they wished to question him so he said to them. You are seeking with one another because I have said; “A little while, and you will no longer behold me; and then, in a little while, you will see me?”
20. Truthfully, truthfully, I tell you that you will weep and you will lament, and the world will rejoice; you will be grieved, but your grief will be turned into joy.
21. The woman when she gives birth has grief because her hour has come; and when she brings forth the child, she no longer remembers the grief and distress; because she has joy that a man is born into the world.
22. You now indeed have grief, but again I will see you, and your hearts will rejoice, and your joy no one can take from you.
23. And in that my day you will question nothing. Truthfully, truthfully I tell you that whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give it to you.
24. Until now you have asked for nothing in my name, ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.

Please notice the amount of the gospel account given to the discussion of “a little while“. The issue in the passage is not the dynamic disclosure of some great hidden secret; but, rather an example of the character of our relationship. Note the patient and compassionate, yet blunt, dealing of Jesus toward His own. He does this, as He seeks to reveal to us His will. Also note, that the truth that comes is not always comfortable; but, perfect for us.

The gospel of Jesus is before the disciples, yet they must wait upon Jesus’ return; Praise God, we have been born after the wait. The trial of the disciples was for them; we have been chosen to live and work for the saviour now. There are new periods of waiting, silence without knowing, and understandings of the word to provide knowledge to meet our needs. God forbid, that anyone interpret that I am meaning any extension of the revelation of John the Apostle; I am referring to the disclosure of His will to us and ours, on a one-to-one basis of survival, against the evil one in our time. Trials and sickness of heart; peace and joy without measure; all this lies before us by the hand of God as He has chosen us to do at His will. Let us seek to remain within His will, to seek the master. To let God’s understanding of our weaknesses prevail in our lives, to use continually our petition of prayer. And to become vessels of sacrifice to His name and glory forever.

Listen to the list of these meaningful words of the king; hear, grieve, repent, listen, wait, know, feel, believe, ask, and receive. They have all seemed to have blended into the same beautiful word. A living moving word. A happening that is according to His will in us. A word that means our salvation. A word that means the son of the living God died for me. A word that spells out peace beyond measure. A word that means you will live forever in the presence of God.

John 16:
25. These things I have spoken to you in allegories; the hour is coming when I will speak to you no longer in allegories, but plainly things concerning the Father will I declare to you.
26. In that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will request from the Father concerning you;
27. for the Father himself loves you; because you have loved me, and have believed that I am come forth of the Father.
28. I have come forth out of the Father, and have come into the world; again I leave the world and go to the Father.
29. His disciples then said, “Behold you now speak in plainness, and no longer in allegories.”
30. “Now we know that you know all things and no one has any need to question you; by this we believe that from God thou hast come forth.”
31. Jesus answered, Now you believe?
32. Behold there comes an hour, and it has come, that you will be scattered each one to his own home, and will leave me alone; I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33. These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you will have peace. In the world you have only distress; but cheer up, I have overcome the world.

Jesus spoke to His disciples in allegories; because, He loved them. He loves us and will speak to us as He wills, that we need the understanding. Now He spoke to them plainly; because, He desired they know. Jesus wanted them to know that, in the hour coming, they would feel their hearts crushed as they left him knowing the truth. Then, when He would truly turn again to them, there would be no doubt in their hearts that He loved them. Jesus loves us and turns again and again to us to show His love. Wait upon him and He will come to you. Search humbly the heart and believe upon His words; and, these words will bring you the comfort of the spirit — His peace — His joy — His presence. Hallelujah! The Lord is near and wishes for all to turn their hearts toward him so He may speak and enter into your abode; to tell you of the abode He is preparing for you in heavenly places.

The point of faith in this call of the Lord is to believe that He is the son of God and that He loved you first; and, in His time, He will come to you to make His word manifest upon your heart. This is the gospel of the king in the hearts of men. Believe in His kingship; and, then know His love in your heart. In your hour, you could abandon him. However, He will wait for your returning; and, His love will be proven to you. Accept him, you can do nothing to repay him for His love; but only accept him, live and love.

Just as the disciples were to run and hide in their own homes, we too likewise also turn and run and hide in our hour. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, He is able to come to the very threshold of our abode; the heart. And, again He comes in His faithfulness, in His kingship, in His Father’s glory, reigning to bring us to remembrance. Only in Him is the peace found that can fill the heart to overflowing.

Jesus is not asking us to understand the words of religion or the definitions of terminology. He wants our crushed and redeemed hearts to be under His lordship. He eternally wants us to know him, His Father; and, for us to have the spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants His holy spirit in our hearts; to renew us. Jesus loves us, He loves me, He wants to announce to us His love. Jesus wants for you and me to accept His invitation; and, ask for His love from the Father in His name, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is all; no pilgrimage, no rituals, no years of meditation, just you and him. Ask, receive, know. Let our hearts be filled with cheer just as the disciples were. Jesus has made His announcement known to you through His spirit. Come to the feast of the Holy One of Israel. Sit at His table and drink with him in the kingdom of heaven. Now is the time of the feast, the end is near; and, our hearts have known only slavery and distress and grief in the world. Come let us drink from the loving tree from God, the living tree of eternal life; and, know him in your heart as King. To wait is but to deny; and, to deny, is death and destruction of the soul.

You might reply in conclusion; but it all seems so complicated and full of mystery. I would say, explain to me the principle of thought in a man’s mind and then I will explain to you the principles of salvation completely. Simply, some things are to be understood and some things are to be believed. If we could but remember our experience as a child with our first solid food and the difference and confusion of this substance in our mouths as compared to milk, we can now as adults relate to the fact that understanding (our comprehension of what is actually happening) does not always correspond with the outcome of events (what the Lord has actually done for us in spite of us). For the Spirit is our instructor and we are but learners, no matter what our level of understanding, our responsibility remains the same. I hope that this discussion of the king has helped you further your knowledge and commitment in the kingdom.

Kenneth D. Davis

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Last modified 22 Jun 2005