His disciples said, "Lo, now You are speaking plainly, and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with
The last bit of what Jesus said, the disciples understood. They understood that they would have a time of weeping that would turn to joy. They understood that they would see Jesus again and no one would take their joy away. They understood that they would ask the Father directly, and the Father would give them in Jesus’ name what they asked. They understood that Jesus had come from the Father and was returning to the Father. They may not have understood yet how all these things would happen, but they understood that Jesus was teaching them these things. It was clear to them.
Even more, the disciples realized that Jesus had said all these things as a response to their questions – questions they hadn’t asked Him. They understood that Jesus knew all these things, and even knew their unspoken questions. These things made the disciples believe that Jesus came from God.
Jesus’ response is further encouragement. He seems to question the extent of their faith, because after asking, “Do you believe?” He predicts that they are all about to be scattered to their homes, leaving Him alone. Their faith is not yet strong enough to produce complete faithfulness in times of trouble. But Jesus will not be alone, because the Father will be with Him. And Jesus says again that He has told the disciples these things so that they may have peace in Him – even in the midst of trouble. The trouble is coming, and the disciples will scatter. But Jesus wants them to know that He loves them, that He is still offering them peace, and that there is comfort in all of what is about to happen. He has overcome the world! It is what Christ does that the disciples will be able to take comfort.
Father, thank You for having Jesus prepare the disciples for this time of hardship and pain. Thank You that You have left many words of comfort even for us today, as we go through pain and trials. Thank You that Your words of comfort and joy encourage us to look to You and to what Jesus has done, overcoming the world. We are so easily discouraged and distracted by the troubles of this world, but Jesus is faithful, and His faithfulness means that we – the weak and unfaithful – will one day be able to rejoice forever! Help us to remember that Jesus has already begun to overcome the world – that His death and resurrection have defeated sin and death – and help us to joyfully anticipate the day when Jesus returns to set all things right. Help us to be comforted by Jesus’ work in the past and in the future, and to be joyful because of Him.
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