199. Third Sunday after Easter. I.
Lord, teach us to understand that which
thou shalt speak to us this day. Amen.
Gospel Lesson, John 16, 16-22. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
❦
“A little while; and again a little while.” Our gospel lesson uses these words several times, and then concludes by making mention of a joy which shall be without end. In our present life we are happy one hour and sad the next. But in the midst of the rapidly shifting joys and sorrows of this life there gushes forth for the disciples of Jesus a current of joy which grows ever greater and stronger, and flows on through all eternity. — “A little while, and ye shall not see me.” This sounded strange and harsh in the ears of them to whom it was addressed. In the beginning of our discipleship we feel little else than the joy and wonder of walking with the Lord. He speaks to us of tribulations; but we do not understand, and we turn a deaf ear to him. Now, this cannot last; the mortification of the flesh cannot be an altogether pleasurable sensation. Hours of sadness must come; for we are to become like unto Jesus. He goes away from us, and we are left in loneliness and sorrow. You then blame yourself for your want of vigilance and for your disobedience; and with good reason. Your soul is heavy, your devotion lacks warmth; drowsiness and darkness are upon the heart. To be sure, this is not exactly the unavoidable, but it is the usual experience of the disciples of Jesus. Is, then, the joyous beginning to have this sad end? No, thank God, dear reader; this is not the end. This is only the second “little while.” Whatever may transpire, do you keep together with the brethren, continue to study the word and obey it! I have no doubt that you wish to follow this advice; but I also know that you are tempted to give up hope, and to leave the church and the society of the brethren, which now seem to you to be the home of disappointment. Continue in the congregation of the brethren gathered around the word of God; and the Lord will again let you see him; though after a different manner, for he is dead and risen again. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” The first sense of exuberant happiness is gone; but you learn to believe the Lord’s presence, and then you experience that he gives genuine peace and joy and victory over sin. You hold fast the Invisible One as though you saw him; but you do not ask to see, since it is the will of God that here we shall walk in faith; but you do see him with the eye of faith, and your sorrow has been turned into joy. — Nevertheless, do not feel assured that you are henceforth to experience no spiritual travail. The words, “a little while,” are used no less than seven times in our gospel lesson. Whatever it may be your lot to endure, all your troubles combined shall last but “a little while;” soon you see the Lord Jesus face to face in eternal glory. “Ye shall be sorrowful, and ye shall weep and lament.” Thus saith the Lord to his disciples. The statement is grave and impressive, yet there is comfort in it; for he adds: “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” On the other hand, when he says that “the world shall rejoice,” there is nothing but darkness and terror; for the joy of which he speaks shall last but a little while, and then be turned into endless lamentation.
Lord my God, I long for the blessed happiness of peace; I cry out for that peace which thy children enjoy, whom thou dost illumine with thy words of comfort. If it please thee to give me peace and to pour joy into my heart, the soul of thy servant shall be filled with song; and shall praise thy name with warm devotion. But if thou withdraw thy presence, as thou ofttimes dost, thy servant is too weak to follow after thee; he can but fall on his knees and beat his breast; — for his heart is not as it was yesterday, when thy light shone above his head, and he was sheltered under the shadow of thy wings against all the temptations that assailed him. When thy friend suffers afflictions in the world it is one of the mercies which he receives from thy hand, no matter how great the measure of his affliction may be. Nothing happens on earth without thy counsel and thy prescience. It is expedient for me that thou dost humble me, in order that I may know that thy judgments are righteous, and that I may cast out of the heart all pride and conceit.
— Thomas à Kempis
Lord Jesus, may thy Spirit support us in our faith and make us to understand that it is but for a little while that we do not see thee. Make us to rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer; grant us constancy, and make us partakers with thee in eternal bliss. Amen.
O mighty rock! O source of life,
Let thy dear word, ’mid doubt and strife,
Be so within us burning,
That we be faithful unto death
In thy pure love and holy faith,
From thee true wisdom learning.
Lord, thy graces on us shower!
Be thy power Christ confessing,
Let us win his grace and blessing.
200. Third Sunday after Easter. II.
Give us, O God, the spirit of true
liberty and obedience. Amen.
Epistle Lesson, 1 Peter 2, 11-20. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
❦
You that believe in the Lord Jesus are not of the world, but have your true home in heaven; and this should be seen in you during the little while that you sojourn here in a strange land. Your heavenly descent, your saintly way of thinking, the truth and glory of your eternal calling, are to be manifested by saintly conduct in your earthly affairs and duties. While the children of the world strive to gather wealth, it is to be your object to become rich in good works and lay up treasures in heaven. While the spirit of the world causes people to covet power over others, it shall be your ambition that the spirit of Christ may make you submissive, as people who are truly free, and who have power to compel obedience from the rebellious flesh toward the dictates of the spirit. It is more and more becoming the fashion to pride oneself on being superior to governments and magistrates; and this is called “liberty.” The Christians, however, have received power of God to resist the evil spirit of the age, and to submit themselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. The liberty of those who thirst after power is genuine slavishness and meanness; but the Christian submission to authority, on the other hand, is mastery over oneself and the world, and is true liberty. When the unbelievers deride you, Christian servants, on account of your obedience and respect toward your temporal masters, do you remember that it is Christ, not men, whom you serve; and make it your business to prove by your faithfulness and loyalty that you have learned to master yourselves and the world and the devil. But you will surely fall short and be caught in the world and the toils of the enemy, if you do not diligently and constantly watch and pray; for much grace is required, together with spiritual wisdom and a heavenly mind, in order to resist the alluring spirit of the age. It is, therefore, highly necessary that you take to heart the admonition of the apostle, and that you have the light of God’s Spirit on the affairs of life. Never forget, dearly beloved, that you are strangers and pilgrims on earth; and never forget that you are here to serve the Lord in all things. Seek your glory with him, never on any account with men. Then shall they deride you for his sake, revile you and him; but he shall nevertheless be honored through you, and be glorified in the day of visitation; and you shall be glorified with him.
When thou makest us free, Lord Jesus, we are free indeed. We heartily beseech thee, give us this glorious freedom. Amen.
The powers ordained by thee,
With heavenly wisdom bless;
May they thy servants be,
And rule in righteousness.
O Lord, stretch forth thy mighty hand,
And guard and bless our fatherland.