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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comThrough the Bible Day by Day - John 16:12 - 16:12
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Looking beyond Present Sorrow
Joh 16:12-24
The disciples were terribly overwrought by the events of the last few days, the reversal of their cherished hopes, and the growing darkness and sorrow of the approaching cross. Their physical nature and their minds and affections could bear no more. Sorrow had filled their heart, and the Master forbore to describe in further detail the valley of shadow through which they were still to pass. A comparison of the Gospels and Epistles will indicate how much our Lord left unsaid. All this remained for the Spirit’s teaching, to be communicated to the Church through the Apostles. It is thus that Christ deals with us still, apportioning our trials to our strength, our discipline to our spiritual capacity. We long to know God’s secret plans for ourselves, and for those whom we love. Where does the path lead which we are treading, and which dips so swiftly and abruptly? How much longer will the fight be maintained between Truth on the scaffold and Wrong on the throne? What is the explanation of the mystery of evil, of the sorrow and agony of the world? And Jesus says: “My child, you cannot bear to know now. Trust me, I will tell you as soon as you are able to understand.” The blindness and limitation of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall follow in God’s own time. See Rom 8:18; 2Co 4:17.