Lent Day 36: Peace in a troubled world

Jesus knows what is coming and nothing takes him by surprise. He prepares his Family for what lies ahead, even when they do not yet fully understand what he is saying. 

In fact, Jesus comforts his disciples in advance: he is leaving them. They will betray, deny, and forsake him but he will forgive. They will be restored.
Such is the unconditional love of God. Even when we lack the courage to do the right thing or when we prioritize our safety over our duty to God, he does not leave us without his peace. 

Read more in John 16:17-33. 
Jesus went on to say, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.’

At this, some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,” and “Because I am going to the Father”?’ They kept asking, ‘What does he mean by “a little while”? We don’t understand what he is saying.’

Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, ‘Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me”? 

'Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. 

'Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

> We are loved by both Jesus and his Father. Do you comprehend what it means to be utterly known and yet loved by God himself?
‘Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.’

Then Jesus’ disciples said, ‘Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.’

> Jesus knows that his disciples will abandon him. Yet he is sure of this: in times when everyone forsakes you, God never leaves your side. 



> Even to those who will run away, he promises his peace. He reminds his followers that the world is full of trouble. In contrast, Jesus will overcome the world and give them his own peace.
‘Do you now believe?’ Jesus replied. ‘A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

‘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.’

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