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25 February 2008
Word on the Web
John 16 v 16-24
"After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again."
Some of the followers said to each other, "What does Jesus mean when he says, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? And what does he mean when he says, 'Because I am going to the Father'?" They also asked, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
Jesus saw that the followers wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking each other what I meant when I said, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? I tell you the truth, you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will become joy. When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain, because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world. It is the same with you. Now you are sad, but I will see you again and you will be happy, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will not ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
Unanswered prayer is one of the mysteries of faith. Why do some people pray for good things for themselves, for their friends and relatives, or for the world, and there is no answer from God? Unanswered prayer can lead us to doubt God (if he can do miracles why doesn't he do them a bit more often?) or our relationship to him (as in the jibe that our prayers aren't answered because we don't have enough faith: this accusation is twaddle: if we didn't have faith we wouldn't pray at all!).
Jesus does not mean in v24, ask for a Rolls Royce and add "in Jesus' name, Amen." and you'll get it. What does he mean, then?
Wherever you go in life you find people who just don't get it. Sometimes, you're one of these people. Jesus knows this. His disciples say what my students sometimes say, "we don't understand what he is saying". Notice what Jesus does. He doesn't rage at their dullness. No, he finds out that they're flummoxed, and tries to help them understand.
The disciples' desire to understand is their prayer. This prayer will always be answered. The Father will teach us. But we will need to be good students: to listen, to read, to make learning our priority, to do some home learning. Reading Word on the Web is just the start.
In my dealings with other people, dear God, give me patience when they don't understand. And in my dealings with you, help me never to give up my search for understanding. For I know that I am a disciple, a learner, and you want me to understand more and more. This is the way to real joy. I pray in the name of Jesus the patient teacher. Amen.
Written by Richard Martin
Word on the Web
John 16 v 16-24
"After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again."
Some of the followers said to each other, "What does Jesus mean when he says, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? And what does he mean when he says, 'Because I am going to the Father'?" They also asked, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
Jesus saw that the followers wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking each other what I meant when I said, 'After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again'? I tell you the truth, you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will become joy. When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain, because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world. It is the same with you. Now you are sad, but I will see you again and you will be happy, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will not ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
Unanswered prayer is one of the mysteries of faith. Why do some people pray for good things for themselves, for their friends and relatives, or for the world, and there is no answer from God? Unanswered prayer can lead us to doubt God (if he can do miracles why doesn't he do them a bit more often?) or our relationship to him (as in the jibe that our prayers aren't answered because we don't have enough faith: this accusation is twaddle: if we didn't have faith we wouldn't pray at all!).
Jesus does not mean in v24, ask for a Rolls Royce and add "in Jesus' name, Amen." and you'll get it. What does he mean, then?
Wherever you go in life you find people who just don't get it. Sometimes, you're one of these people. Jesus knows this. His disciples say what my students sometimes say, "we don't understand what he is saying". Notice what Jesus does. He doesn't rage at their dullness. No, he finds out that they're flummoxed, and tries to help them understand.
The disciples' desire to understand is their prayer. This prayer will always be answered. The Father will teach us. But we will need to be good students: to listen, to read, to make learning our priority, to do some home learning. Reading Word on the Web is just the start.
In my dealings with other people, dear God, give me patience when they don't understand. And in my dealings with you, help me never to give up my search for understanding. For I know that I am a disciple, a learner, and you want me to understand more and more. This is the way to real joy. I pray in the name of Jesus the patient teacher. Amen.
Written by Richard Martin
