What Now?

Have we ever wondered confusedly as we‘ve watched events unfold? Have we ever anticipated something that just didn’t seem to work out and we asked, “What now?” While Jesus was buried in the tomb that is what His disciples were wondering. Following His resurrection, but before He had revealed Himself to His disciples, some were still wondering as they stated, “But we had hoped that he was the one….” ( Luke 24:21) Jesus had tried to prepare the disciples, but His death on the cross was just not the way they had envisioned His kingdom being established. How could He do it from a tomb? There was a sense in which their hopes seem to have been buried in that tomb with their Lord.

In the midst of all the misunderstanding of those who had followed with Jesus, I find it interesting that one of the thieves crucified with Him would have asked from his place on a cross, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ( Luke 23:42) Isn’t that an amazing request from one dying man to another? What did this thief know that the disciples did not?

Not knowing what was going to happen and not understanding that Jesus was to rise from the dead ( John 20:9), the disciples appear to have remained holdup in a house even after the tomb was found empty ( Luke 24:12, 36-37; John 20:19) They had seen so much power work on behalf of others. Jesus’ authoritative teaching, the signs associated with His powerful working of miracles attested to Who He was. Now what?

Before it all took place Jesus had encouraged His disciples…
“(16) ‘A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.’ (17) So some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?’ (18) So they were saying, ‘What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.’ (19) Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? (20) Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, BUT YOUR SORROW WILL TURN INTO JOY. (21) When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and YOUR HEARTS WILL REJOICE, AND NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR JOY FROM YOU.” ( John 16:16-22 ESV)

Jesus leaving? A time when they would not see Him? It was all confusing. There was much they still did not grasp. But wait! There would be REJOICING! They would have JOY that no one could take away! Hang in there! Sunday was coming!

When we are confused regarding the way things are going in this world, let us keep our trust in God. There may be many moments of sorrow in this realm -- but REJOICING will come again. As we hang in there and continue in our relationship with Christ we will experience JOY that no one can take away. Sunday is coming! We have a glorious future in Christ.

Have a great day TRUSTING THE ONE WHO CAN WORK ALL THINGS OUT!
Carl

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