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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conference, Conference With the Disciples, Part LI, John 16:16-18 - Lesson 159
Read Verses John 16:12-15, for review: I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
John 16:16-18 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
In John 7:33, Jesus told his disciples .....Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
Jesus said to them in John 12:35 , Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
And again in John 13:33, he told them: Little children, yet a little while I am with you......
And in John 14:19 he says: Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Jesus Christ had told them that his time with them was drawing to a close.
A little while and ye shall not see me.
He has told them that on several occasions but they are dull of hearing.
They refuse to hear the clear teaching of Christ because it does not support what they want from him.
They want a Messiah that is victorious in a worldly way.
They want a king to overthrow the Romans and if he leaves what kind of victory is that?
They refuse to accept a departing Messiah in their thinking.
They had spiritual mindset , a common malady when the word of God is not studied under the leadership of the Spirit.
But what Christ is telling them, A little while, refers to the time between the moment he is speaking to them and the time of his death, about a day.
The second little while refers to the time between his death and his resurrection, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
These words are meant to console the disciples.
Just a little while disciples, and you will see me again.
Think on these things instead of sorrow for yourselves. |