John 16:16-24 (TPT)
16 Soon you won’t see me any longer, but then, after a little while, you will see me in a new way.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean, ‘Soon you won’t see me,’ and, ‘A little while after that and you will see me in a new way’? And what does he mean, ‘Because I’m going to my Father’?” 18 So they kept on repeating, “What’s the meaning of ‘a little while’? We have no clue what he’s talking about!”
19 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and it was obvious that they were anxious to ask him what he had meant, so he spoke up and said, 20 “Let me make it quite clear: You will weep and be overcome with grief over what happens to me. The unbelieving world will be happy, while you will be filled with sorrow. But know this, your sadness will turn into joy when you see me again! 21 Just like a woman giving birth experiences intense labor pains in delivering her baby, yet after the child is born she quickly forgets what she went through because of the overwhelming joy of knowing that a new baby has been born into the world.
22 “So will you also pass through a time of intense sorrow when I am taken from you, but you will see me again! And then your hearts will burst with joy, with no one being able to take it from you! 23 For here is eternal truth: When that time comes you won’t need to ask me for anything, but instead you will go directly to the Father and ask him for anything you desire and he will give it to you, because of your relationship with me.24 Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in my name,[to ask in the fullness of I AM] but now you can ask, and keep on asking him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits!
In our passage today, Jesus wants to help his disciples better understand what is about to happen; Jesus is going to die a physical death on the cross for the sins of humanity in order to save believers from spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Following the resurrection and ascension of Christ, the Father will send the Spirit of Christ to be the saving spiritual life within those who will receive his Gift by faith. The Father does not want anyone to perish, but he requires faith in Christ and cooperation with the Spirit. Ponder this reality; Immanuel is being formed and should be growing within believers. We now see Christ in a new way; in the core or womb of our being we carry the Savior and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal the divine presence guiding us. We labor by faith for the Spirit to exalt Christ in us by obeying the Word and sacrificing our own selfish inclinations. Together as believers we are the Church and we labor to reveal Christ in our lives to the world. For this reason, it is essential that we grow up in Christ.
Prayer: Father, thank you for salvation in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. Help me to cooperate with your plan for my salvation. Give me a heart for sharing your love with others. Open my eyes to see your presence within me and lead me to reveal the beauty of your presence to those around me by how I live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.