“But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ (John 16:5)
When we are young, we can sometimes become quite insecure if we do not feel that someone who loves and cares about us is near. It’s calming to know that during a thunderstorm in the middle of the night, we can jump into bed with our parents. When we are at the playground, we want to be sure that mom is right there to catch us when we go down the slide for the first time. When the training wheels are removed from our bike and we begin to solo on our own, it’s comforting to know that dad is running alongside of us in case we lose our balance. As we take our first strokes in the pool when we are learning to swim, it’s reassuring when our instructor gives us the confidence to know that he will not let us sink. In each case, the person encourages us by stating they will be right there to protect us from falling or sinking into dangerous territory.
My friend once related a story to me about her parents many years ago. They were having a rather vivid disagreement about a family issue, and the wife thought her husband was not being very Christian-like regarding the matter. So she decided to write him a note telling him that she needed some space for a while and thought that he needed to reexamine his values. The note ended with these words: “I’m not telling you where I’m going, but if you need me – I’ll be at Aunt Sue’s.” How interesting a commitment when you feel strong enough to recognize the necessity to take your leave but loving enough to want the person to know where you will be just in case they need you. It reminds me of a line I heard recently from Diane Sawyer at former first lady Nancy Reagan’s funeral. She attributed the quote to President Ronald Reagan and said it went something like this: ‘If you must leave, could you just take me with you?”
Jesus disciples must have felt that way also whenever He told them that He needed to leave them. How conflicted they must have felt, knowing that they had walked away from their lives to follow someone who now said He was parting. Jesus said to them: “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” One of the twelve, Thomas, said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:1-6).
Even though Jesus told those who loved Him exactly where He would be, it must have confused them to some degree. He further explained, stating, “I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe” (John 14:29), and in time their faith increased in understanding and ministry. It is somewhat easier for us, because we have the advantage of knowing the whole story. Jesus understood that in order for the salvation of mankind to be accomplished, He would have to suffer a brutal death. The plan was that His followers might continue to be comforted. Jesus set the record straight when He said, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-8). Following His resurrection, He made good on His promise, and “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). There He sits as our intercessor before the throne. For like all those who have reassured us with their love by comforting, catching, or keeping us balanced and afloat – He too would encourage us by simply saying, “Yes – that’s where I’ll be.”
REFLECTION: In what ways have you experienced the reassuring love of God’s presence through His Holy Spirit? What would you say to someone who rejects Jesus’ gift of salvation? How might you use the security of a caring person to explain God’s great love for us? Why is it important that the Son of God serve as our mediator with God the Father?
A NEW LOOKUP DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT.,MARCH 19, 2016. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.