A Little While
Jesus confounded his disciples with this phrase.
“A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.” John 16:16
We are still confounded by the time after these two little whiles.
It is confounding to understand the meaning of many things the Lord says to us in His word. It is also challenging to understand completely what he may whisper to us while in prayer.
We are constrained in our ability to fully calculate or comprehend the limitless nature of God.
In a word. Confounded.
Paul described it this way,
“ For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
The believer has stretched forth the hand of faith toward heaven as their heart yearns for the Glories of God. Countless songs in the songbook of faith have been sang memorializing generation after generation looking and living in a window called a little while.
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
While heaven and earth remain, seedtime and harvest, life and death, sorrow and joy continue down the path of time.
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”Titus 2:13
Imagine with me the first time the disciples experienced that first little while, three days they lived in the doom and gloom of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The story of His suffering and shame. The reported condition of abuse and torture their hoped messiah endured. And for the longest time in their lives they grieved the death of hope.
However, that grief became a joy like no other joy, when they were confronted with an unspeakable, unimaginable turn of events. Jesus held forth his nail-scarred hands and revealed his spear pierced side and declared that he was victorious over death, hell, and the grave.
Joy.
Joy in his life.
Joy in the unfolding revelation of what that resurrected life was and what it meant to them and the powerful realization of salvation.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Then, these watched Jesus slowly ascend up into the heavens. WOW.
What am I seeing. Jesus is going up in the air until he disappeared from their sight.
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9
“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10
In a little while, we shall see Jesus.
Until then, we have access to fellowship and know Him through the powerful spirit of the Witness.
Just a little while to stay here, just a little while to wait.