“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” These words were spoken by our Lord Jesus at the Last Supper, on the very night He was betrayed by Judas into death. While it is easy enough for us to catch what He is referencing, that is, His death and resurrection, it was rather more confusing for the Twelve who originally heard this saying of the Lord.

Have you ever received news that left you puzzled? Maybe it was a message that didn’t make sense until later due to gaining some insight or perspective: a phone call, a diagnosis, a surprise announcement. Jesus' words to His disciples were just like that. “A little while,”He says, “and you will not see me… and again a little while, and you will see me.”

And so, in this frank conversation before going to the cross, Jesus prepares His disciples, and even us, for the Christian life. Specifically, He is warning us about our inevitable grief and the triumph of joy at the end.

Find out more in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!