Articles
How Jesus Was Misunderstood (6)
“What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” (John 16:18)
Jesus had been explaining to the disciples for some time that He would soon be killed and raised on the third day. But that message just wasn’t registering. Cultural blinders kept obscuring His words. Finally, Jesus began speaking in more figurative, enigmatic ways.
In this account, Jesus had said, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father” (Jn 16:16). Jesus knew their confusion, so He explains: “You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy” (16:20). Jesus had earlier said, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, that Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (16:7).
Jesus’ death will bring the disciples great sorrow. But He is looking beyond that to not only His resurrection but the unfolding of the work of the Spirit among them. Sometimes we misunderstand God because we think too small. We can’t conceive of the reality He has in mind. Let us not limit God by what we think is possible. Is anything too hard for God?
