Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?” John 16:17 WEB
The promised Messiah came into the world and the world rejected him because it did not know God. And yet, for those who accepted Jesus, God adopted them into his holy family. As we read in John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name. WEB”
At the time of Jesus’ announcement saying, “I go to the Father,” the disciples believe that Jesus is the Messiah. However, they do not yet fully understand God’s plan for the glorification of Christ. Many would assume that Christ came to establish his kingdom on earth at that time. But God had greater plans. The Lord’s glorification would come through his death. Jesus’ obedience to the Father would lead him to pay the price for our sins on the cross.
Preparing the Faithful
To understand the confusion of the disciples we should consider that everything they worked for and believed for the past three years seemed to be falling apart. Preparing his faithful for his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus tells them that there will soon come a time when they will see him no more. But then, they will see him.
As Jesus prepares his followers for his death and resurrection, he is setting the stage for his ultimate return at the end of the age. Of course, Jesus did return on the third day after his crucifixion and appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days. After Jesus returned to the Father, the disciples received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
Before saying to his disciples, “I go to the Father,” Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples. The Lord explained the benefit of his going away saying in John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. WEB”
God’s understanding is greater than our own and his ways are higher than ours. After his arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, Jesus’ disciples understood what the Lord had meant when he said “I go to the Father.” With the help of the Holy Spirit, God would guide them to lay the foundation of the Christian church. Through the counsel of the Holy Spirit, God’s ministry to mankind continues today in anticipation of the final return of our Lord and Savior.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the obedient example of Jesus Christ. Thank you for the faithfulness of the first believers. Guide my steps with your Holy Spirit. Lead me to live life according to your plans. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Two by Two
