Jesus said all these things so we may know he is in control. He knows what will happen and he knows how to deal with these.
He did not say this to his disciples before because he was with them. It was not time for them to be exposed to these. Jesus was still there to protect them. But now, Jesus was leaving them. It would be their time at the front line.
The Holy Spirit Comes
Jesus had to go for the Spirit to come.
In life, in the midst of trouble, we will suffer. These sufferings allow the Spirit to come and redeem us - to give us power. When we are weak, we are strong. In our darkest, God's light shines the brightest even if we do not see it. We do not see, not because of the darkness, but because we are blinded by the light.
The Spirit convicts the world about sin, of righteousness and judgment. Sin is not believing in Jesus. Righteousness is seen because Jesus rose from the dead and is going to the Father. The resurrection of Jesus showed who was right - Jesus or the leaders. Judgment - because the prince of this world stands condemned. The condemnation of Satan is proof of judgment. The Holy Spirit will reveal all these things to us.
| Holy Spirit, reveal to me my sinfulness. Reveal to me God's righteousness. Reveal to me his justice. |
The Spirit Reveals
Jesus had many things to say, but what he had to say was too much for his disciples to bear. God does not reveal everything to us in one instant. He reveals these slowly and at the appropriate time. The Spirit leads us to all truth. He speaks for Jesus. He tells us what is to come. He glorifies Jesus. He takes from Jesus what he tells us.
When the Spirit takes from Jesus, he is taking from the Father because all the Father has belongs to Jesus.
Jesus said, “A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” When Jesus shows himself, then the sorrow will turn to joy.
In life, there will be difficulties. God will seem absent. The best time for prayer is in the midst of our difficulties because that is when the Father is closest to us. This is the moment when we are one with the Father's will.
There is a guarantee this will turn to joy, because we will see him. When that time comes, our joy will be full - such that no one can take it away from us.
Lord Jesus, when you seem absent, when things are dark, may your Spirit remind me of your presence. May the darkness teach me to trust in you, to hold on to you. May it strenthen my faith as I trust in you. May I look to the hope you will intervene. May my joy be based on this hope O Lord. |
Ask Anything in Jesus' Name
When our joy is full, then only Jesus matters. There will be no more questions because we have seen the love of our lives. We will know and be one with the Father's will. Then we will ask anything from the Father. At that time, the only one that matters is Jesus. We will ask the Father for Jesus and he will give him to us.
Jesus told the disciples to ask anything in his name. In the midst of their sorrow, Jesus told them to ask in his name. In the midst of our difficulties, Jesus tells us to ask in his name. Look within and see what Jesus wants you to ask at this point in your life. Ask Jesus and it shall be given.
| Lord, may I know you intimatelyso I can ask you anything. May I be bold to stand before you and ask anything in your name. More importantly, may I always be in you so I can know what to ask. Reveal the Father to me Lord. |
During our sorrows, we will not understand what Jesus is saying or doing. But when we see him, when our joy is full, then, Jesus will reveal the Father. This is possible because the Father loves those who believe in Jesus. Understanding Jesus is not important. What is important is seeing Jesus through faith; knowing he is there.
Jesus knew the disciples believed he came from the Father. God knows our inmost thoughts. He knows us deeply, more than we know ourselves.
With this, Jesus questioned their belief. He said they would leave him by himself. But in the midst of this abandonment, Jesus knew the Father was with him. That was enough for him.
Jesus said all these so his disciples might have peace. In the midst of our difficulties, Jesus is in control. When God seems to be losing, that is when we need to hold on. There will be troubles, but Jesus HAS already won the war.
Notice what Jesus said. He had not yet been crucified, he had not yet risen from the dead, but he said, “Cheer up, I have overcome the world!” Even when we face difficulties, Jesus has won. The battle has not started, we already know the victor. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!
Since we are in Jesus, we also have that victory. This is why St. Paul said we are more than conquerors in Christ!
| Father, indeed, you are all that matters. You are enough. Even when others abandon me, remind me that you are there. Though my father and mother abandon me, you O Lord are always there. This is enough for me. You are the Almighty God who is always victorious! Lead me to your victory my God! |
