Sunday, May 13, 2012

Sunday, May 13th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20
Today's scripture focus is John 16:17-33


17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “You believe at last!” Jesus answered. 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

How fitting that this passage is on Mother`s Day!

Jesus uses the parable of childbirth to illustrate how sorrow can be turned into joy - the very thing that caused sorrow, will cause joy.

Labour causes pain and sorrow - but as soon as that baby is born, you realize that the labour actually caused joy.  A mother`s sorrow is turned into joy.  It`s not replaced by anything - it`s the same event.  But it starts as sorrow and turns out as joy.

It is the same with Jesus and the cross.  The disciples were about to sorrow greatly because of the cross when they saw their beloved Saviour dying such a horrible death.  But later they would realize that the cross is actually a source of joy - when Jesus is resurrected and when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.   And so their sorrow would turn to joy - the same event - just viewed with different eyes and a different perspective.

And when the Holy Spirit comes, the disciples will not be able to ask Jesus for things anymore because He will no longer be with them, but they will be able to ask the Holy Spirit, and the Father will give them whatever they ask in His name - according to His will because of what He has done, and for His glory.

If we believe in Jesus Christ, and if we love Jesus Christ, we enter into a relationship with Him - proved genuine by our obedience to Him.  Love.

We have faith when we believe Jesus is God and came from God in order to redeem the world.  Faith.

And we have hope when we realize that Jesus has overcome the world - no matter how many battles we may lose while here on earth, He has won the war, and we have hope.


Tomorrow's scripture focus: John 17:1-5
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  Psalm 32, 51, 86, 122

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