2/8/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Jesus comforts his disciples at the start of John 14. He has told them that he is going away and that they can’t follow him just then. Peter’s response suggested that Peter thought he might be going to die. What is Jesus’ comfort? Where he is going is to his Father’s house. There are plenty of places there for them. He will come back to retrieve them.
With a rather cryptic remark, he says that his disciples know the way. We’ll hold that thought for a bit, because Thomas is going to ask him about it in verse 5. However, we should be careful to remember. The disciples didn’t have the benefit of any of the Gospel accounts. They still didn’t really know Jesus was going to die. They showed no signs at all of thinking he was going to rise from the dead.
Of course, Jesus knows that his disciples will know it all within a few days. That won’t be a problem. He also knows that their lives will be taken from them. If they have trouble laying down their lives for Jesus, the need not worry. Someone will enforce that.
At this time, Jesus is full of comfort. You will have what you need. You don’t need to fear. I’m going to come and get you. Lord, teach us how to trust and to look forward eagerly to your coming.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Jesus comforts his disciples at the start of John 14. He has told them that he is going away and that they can’t follow him just then. Peter’s response suggested that Peter thought he might be going to die. What is Jesus’ comfort? Where he is going is to his Father’s house. There are plenty of places there for them. He will come back to retrieve them.
With a rather cryptic remark, he says that his disciples know the way. We’ll hold that thought for a bit, because Thomas is going to ask him about it in verse 5. However, we should be careful to remember. The disciples didn’t have the benefit of any of the Gospel accounts. They still didn’t really know Jesus was going to die. They showed no signs at all of thinking he was going to rise from the dead.
Of course, Jesus knows that his disciples will know it all within a few days. That won’t be a problem. He also knows that their lives will be taken from them. If they have trouble laying down their lives for Jesus, the need not worry. Someone will enforce that.
At this time, Jesus is full of comfort. You will have what you need. You don’t need to fear. I’m going to come and get you. Lord, teach us how to trust and to look forward eagerly to your coming.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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