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John 7:32-36
The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring about him to this effect, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent guards to arrest him. So Jesus said, “I will be with you only a little while longer, and then I will go to the one who sent me. You will look for me but not find [me], and where I am you cannot come.” So the Jews said to one another, “Where is he going that we will not find him? Surely he is not going to the dispersion among the Greeks to teach the Greeks, is he? What is the meaning of his saying, ‘You will look for me and not find [me], and where I am you cannot come’?”
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Faith in the Unseen: To trust in Jesus’ promise of eternal life, even though we cannot physically follow him to where he is going. To believe that he is present with us through the Holy Spirit and that we will one day share in his glory.
Embracing the Mystery of Christ’s Departure and the Invitation to Seek
In this passage from the Gospel of John, we witness the escalating tension between Jesus and the religious authorities. The Pharisees, hearing the murmurs of the crowd’s growing interest in Jesus, send guards to arrest him. However, instead of being intimidated, Jesus calmly speaks of his imminent departure to be with the Father. His words are enigmatic, leaving the Jewish leaders perplexed and questioning his intentions.
This passage invites us to reflect on several key themes:
The Inevitability of Christ’s Mission: Jesus’ words underscore the divine nature of his mission. He is not merely a human teacher, but the Son of God sent to fulfill a specific purpose. His departure to be with the Father is not a retreat from conflict, but a necessary step in accomplishing God’s plan of salvation.
The Limitations of Human Understanding: The confusion of the Jewish leaders reveals the limitations of human understanding when faced with divine mysteries. They cannot grasp the full significance of Jesus’ words because they lack the spiritual discernment to perceive the truth of his identity and mission. This challenges us to humbly acknowledge our own limitations and seek God’s guidance in understanding his ways.
The Invitation to Seek and Find: Jesus’ words, while enigmatic, are not meant to discourage us, but to invite us to seek him earnestly. Though he will physically depart, he promises to remain present with those who believe in him through the Holy Spirit. This calls us to deepen our relationship with Jesus, seeking his presence in our lives through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments.
The Promise of Eternal Life: Jesus’ departure to be with the Father ultimately points to the promise of eternal life for those who believe in him. Although we cannot physically follow him to where he is going, we are assured that through faith in him, we will one day share in his glory. This gives us hope and encouragement to persevere in our journey of faith, knowing that our ultimate destination is not earthly, but heavenly.
As we reflect on this passage, let us be inspired to seek Jesus with all our hearts, trusting in his promise to be with us always. May we open ourselves to the mystery of his divine plan and embrace the hope of eternal life that he offers.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Responding to the Invitation to Seek: Jesus’ words, “You will look for me but not find me,” are not meant to discourage us, but to invite us to seek Him more earnestly. By actively seeking Jesus through prayer, meditation, and service to others, we can draw closer to Him and experience His love and presence more fully in our lives
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post