One Born Every Minute
Opening Prayer
Holy God, You are the source of all wisdom. I am Your child and I long for Your wisdom to guide me.
Read John 16:16-24
[16] 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.” [17] 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’?” [18] They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” [19] 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’? [20] Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. [21] 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. [22] 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. [23] 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. [24] Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does Jesus plant hope even though grief will come?It seems the unwritten law of a great birth story is to detail the excruciating pain and contrast it with the joy that is then felt from holding the newborn. Even Jesus had a birth story to tell! Feeling the weight of his disciples’ confusion over his impending departure, Jesus knew they were seeking answers to a mystery that was something much greater than a clever vanishing act (17). The death-defying journey that Jesus was about to endure was going to bring them pain, so the analogy of giving birth was the most effective way for Jesus to illustrate that, eventually, their pain would turn into joy (21,22). What a moment to capture! Emotion hangs heavy in the air–pain, loss, uncertainty, bewilderment, anticipation–and Jesus addresses all of this by telling a story of a woman in labor! But he is not being flippant; he is showing that his eye is on the disciples’ longer-term welfare. He assures them that whatever they ask for in agreement with his will and for his glory shall be received (24). Now that’s an amazing promise to look forward to!
Apply
A clear promise–ask and receive (23,24). What request is currently on your heart? Pray that God will receive all the glory.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, my Friend and Teacher, keep me humble and open to Your counsel so that I can make good, wise decisions.
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