Behold

4/4/2020

John 16:32 “Behold, the hour cometh…that ye shall be scattered.”

When I began writing this blog 95 days ago on January first of this year, I had no idea where we would be at this moment in time. You never really do, of course, but you can plan things and look forward to the usual events: holiday traditions, seasons changing, and the other markings of time. You think you have plenty of time to get this project done, visit that loved one, or call a friend. Then your world turns upside-down, and you understand how precious time really is. I had this awakening at the beginning of my senior year of high school, when I tragically lost my dad in a car accident. Today, we have all received a collective lesson about the significance of time. The entire world is currently fighting a war against a microscopic evil that is bent on destruction, as most evil is.

Chambers’ study has taken on a new and even deeper relevance for me. He writes about John 16:32, “Jesus is not rebuking the disciples, their faith was real, but it was disturbed: it was not at work in actual things. The disciples were scattered to their own interests, alive to interests that never where in Jesus Christ.” In John 16, Jesus is telling His disciples He will soon be leaving them, but they still do not fully understand. Even though their faith was real and they had walked closely with Him during His ministry, they could not comprehend what He was saying. He told them that they will be scattered shortly, and again, they did not understand.

As we approach Holy Week, which is the most sacred for all of Christianity, we too are scattered and do not understand why. We will not be able to be commemorate Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or celebrate the joy of Resurrection Day together. Chambers writes also, “Darkness comes by the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do as He likes with us—prepared to be separated from conscience blessings? Until Jesus Christ is Lord, we all have ends of our own to serve: are faith is real, but not permanent yet.” This darkness often happens to teach a lesson and draw us closer to God. He is clearly allowing what is currently happening in the world, but how will His people respond? Will we be distracted by our desires, interests, and circumstances? Or will this be a time of revival, focus, and deeper faith?

 This Holy week will be spent as those first followers of Christ spent it: closed up in our homes, waiting and praying. Yet we know what they did not yet understand: that Jesus took on the sin of the world, and granted us saving grace through the blood He shed on the cross. Never has there been a greater sacrifice or greater offering. We know the truth: that we are saved by accepting this most precious gift, so we need not lose heart. Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”