Lest You Forget
“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for My Father is greater than I.” John 14:28-29
One more time, Jesus said to His disciples that He was going away but that He would return. He kept emphasizing this to His disciples. People are weak. They need to be reminded over and over again else they completely forget (especially as we get older). We need to remember on a daily basis that Jesus is coming again so that we don’t get too burdened down with care. Matthew Henry speaks of parting at death as “only a good night, not a final farewell.” Even though we are sorrowful when losing a loved one, we can rejoice that he or she is going to the Father where everything is perfect.
Jesus was going to His Father to be our interceder. He would also be in a much greater place and condition. Jesus told the disciples about His upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection so that after it occurred, they could come to a solid belief in Him and all that He had taught them. There was not going to be very much time for Jesus to talk with His disciples. Time was drawing short. Matthew Henry also wrote that “We should always endeavor to talk to the purpose, because perhaps we may not have time to talk much. We know not how soon our breath may be stopped, and therefore should be always breathing something that is good.”
Jesus knew how that Satan, the prince of this world, was plotting against Him to take His life. Since Jesus had never sinned, Satan could not accuse Him of anything. The devil had no power over Christ. What was done to Jesus, the beatings, being spit upon, being lied about, and His crucifixion was only by the permission of God the Father. Christ showed His love of the Father by carrying out the commands of His Father. It was at this point that Jesus was beginning to make the move toward Calvary: “Arise, and let us go hence”. The disciples were to go also as they had traveled with Jesus for many miles. Faith is not stationary. It is ever moving toward the goal of completeness in Christ.
Referring back to the second quote by Mr. Henry, we need to make an effort to let our conversations edify and encourage others. We need to pause before we say something that might be judgmental or critical of another. What if the last thing that we say to someone is harsh or insulting, and we never have the opportunity to apologize or make amends because one of us passed away? Either we will live with regret or the other person will have that as his or her last memory of us. You have probably been asked this before by a Sunday School teacher or a preacher, “If you knew this was your last day on earth, what would you do or what would you say to others?” Most Christians would likely answer that they would tell others about Jesus. It is a sad commentary when believers decide to wait until 24 hours before death to witness about the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Jesus knew that He was going to die, and He also knew the timeframe in which He would be crucified, but He didn’t change anything about the way that He was living His life. He continued doing what He had been doing all along, teaching, healing, and fellowshipping with His disciples, preparing them for their future as His witnesses and apostles. If we would take our cue from Him, we would become more diligent about our tasks as His representatives on earth, praying for boldness to witness, studying God’s word, and looking expectantly for His return. I think that Jesus can’t wait to come and claim His bride, the church. I can almost hear the wedding bells.