The Departure of Jesus - Pt. 1
Rev. Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | September 7 2024 | John 16:16-19
KEY VERSE:
”A little while, and you will see me no longer, and again a little while, and you will see me.” John 16:16 (ESV)
MESSAGE:
This verse highlights imminent events in Christ’s journey:
Judas, one of His own, would soon lead a group to arrest Him.
He would be falsely accused, convicted, and sentenced to the most shameful and painful death of that time—crucifixion.
Philippians 2:8 captures the significance of Jesus' sacrifice: “obedient to death, even death on a cross.” Paul also emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 the importance of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, calling it a matter of first importance. Sadly, this crucial truth doesn’t always seem to hold the same level of importance for today’s churches, preachers, and people of God.
This is not the first time Jesus referred to "a little while." In John 12:35-36, He urged His listeners to believe in the Light while they still had the chance, showing the urgency of seizing divine opportunities (John 7:33). Jesus was fully aware of His limited time on earth and structured His ministry accordingly, ensuring no task was left undone. Too often, we live as though we have endless time, neglecting to manage our lives and prioritize what truly matters.
From the verse, we see that Jesus knew what lay ahead—pain, shame, and ultimately, victory and glory. Hebrews 12:2-3 calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We often go through difficult situations for worldly gains like degrees or wealth. Imagine if we applied even a fraction of that effort to the work of Christ. Our churches and denominations would experience tremendous growth. It’s also worth considering how we often rush to make appointments, catch flights, or attend interviews but lack the same urgency for church or spiritual activities. Respectfully, this is something many of us need to reflect on.
The disciples appear bashful in bringing to the notice of Christ their perplexities. We don’t have to. He already knows.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Jesus already knows our challenges. Let’s bring our struggles, sins, and confusion before Him, knowing that He sees and understands. PRAYER:
Lord help us to put our best foot always for you and your cause. Lord help me desist from thinking that you don’t see nor hear.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: A LITTLE WHILE The phrase "a little while" (μικρὸν - mikron) refers to a brief, but undefined period. Its use here highlights the imminence of two key events: Jesus' impending death and His subsequent resurrection. The phrase appears twice in our key verse. The first "little while" refers to the short time remaining before Jesus' crucifixion, when He would be taken from the disciples and they would no longer see Him physically. The second "little while" points to His resurrection, when they would see Him again after His temporary absence. This indicates that though they would soon experience sorrow, it would be short-lived, as joy would come with His return. In this context, Jesus uses this expression to reassure His disciples that their upcoming grief and confusion will be temporary, as His resurrection will follow shortly after His death. Reflections: How can you trust God's timing in the "little while" moments of your life, when answers or relief seem delayed?
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