Lent Devotional Day 37

Day 37
Thursday, March 30

John 16:16-33

16 Soon you won’t be able to see me; soon after that, you will see me.” 

I will see you again

17 Some of Jesus’ disciples said to each other, “What does he mean: ‘Soon you won’t see me, and soon after that you will see me’ and ‘Because I’m going to the Father’? 18 What does he mean by ‘soon’? We don’t understand what he’s talking about.”

19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, so he said, “Are you trying to find out from each other what I meant when I said, ‘Soon you won’t see me, and soon after that you will see me’? 20 I assure you that you will cry and lament, and the world will be happy. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman gives birth, she has pain because her time has come. But when the child is born, she no longer remembers her distress because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 In the same way, you have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and you will be overjoyed. No one takes away your joy. 23 In that day, you won’t ask me anything. I assure you that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Up to now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive so that your joy will be complete.

I have conquered the world

25 “I’ve been using figures of speech with you. The time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in such analogies. Instead, I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I’m not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and believed that I came from God. 28 I left the Father and came into the world. I tell you again: I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “See! Now you speak plainly; you aren’t using figures of speech. 30 Now we know that you know everything and you don’t need anyone to ask you. Because of this we believe you have come from God.”

31 Jesus replied, “Now you believe? 32 Look! A time is coming—and is here!—when each of you will be scattered to your own homes and you will leave me alone. I’m not really alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”

Reflection
Going through a hard time in life can be viewed in at least two different ways. There’s the obvious struggling, pain, and hard work to get through it. But there’s also the outcome and the growth. Experiencing suffering can be very painful in the moment, but the aftermath can make it worth it. Going through something like a breakup or losing a friend or family member can be difficult. Miserable, even.

But you can choose to learn from the experience. You value your time with others and true relationships after this. Jesus wants us to believe that it will get better. He understands that we will suffer, cry, and experience sorrow. He also understands that once the suffering ends and the joy begins, we may forget what we had to go through to get there. He wants us to know that God is leading us in the right direction and the struggle we’ve experienced will not be forever, we will get through it. We will enjoy the moment we’re living in.

For things to get better or for us to accept our current reality, we have to trust what Jesus has expressed to us. Whenever we’re struggling, we need to remember that we’ll be alright, and God will help us through it no matter what.

By Mia Fauss