Jesus’ Departure

Today's Reflections 

      

Jesus’ Departure 

 

Jn 16:29-33

²⁹[Jesus’] disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. ³⁰Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” ³¹Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? ³²Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. ³³I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

WE BELIEVE THAT YOU CAME FROM GOD. The disciples make this declaration, confident that they have improved in their knowledge and understanding of what Jesus is saying. They see their faith growing, and Jesus seems to be talking plainly.

Jesus gently rebukes them for their overconfidence. He knows that when he will be arrested, the disciples will be scattered like sheep. They will not remain with Jesus “until the end,” as they will not be able to lay down their lives for Jesus as yet.

Jesus, however, assures the disciples that although they will not be with him in his hour of suffering, he will not be alone because the Father is with him. Jesus is concerned not for himself, but for his disciples, and so while still in the cenacle, he prays for the disciples whom the Father has given him.

Despite their initial failure, the disciples will have peace, since, by his passion and resurrection, Jesus will conquer “the world” where the disciples have trouble. The disciples will have peace because they will share in Jesus’ victory over evil.

“What will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?

...neither death, nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”

(Rom 8:35, 38-39).