Jesus was going away.  The disciples did not grasp all that would be involved - with the cross, resurrection and ascension - although Jesus had already told them plainly (Matthew 16:21).  All they understood was that Jesus, who had become their life, was going away.  What would they do?  They would miss Him dreadfully.  And if Jesus was killed by the authorities, perhaps they would be executed as well.  In either case, their life would end; or so they thought.  Maybe all these possibilities and more passed through their minds.  The result was that they were filled with grief.

They were so consumed with themselves that they could not see a bigger horizon.  Their thoughts were more about ‘what will happen to us?’ rather than ‘what glorious purpose is Jesus going to fulfil, and how will He include us in it?’  In fact they were the privileged few whose apostolic appointment would transform the world, by the power of the Spirit, in the Name of Jesus.

But all they could see was themselves and what they would lose (John 11:16).  They could not begin to understand how their Master’s departure would enable blessing to come to the world through them.  It was not wrong for them to grieve, but grief without God’s revelation and sovereign power is always hopeless.  The Apostle Paul needed to reassure the Thessalonians in the same way (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and His words to them have been of reassurance and comfort to millions of believers ever since.

Whenever our circumstances close in on us, and whenever we anticipate unwanted change, we look at our loss and cannot see how God will use it or us for His glory.  That is why we, like the disciples, need the Holy Spirit to help us understand that the promises in Scripture are still God’s truth for us today.  Whatever seems a loss to us is often where God pours out His blessing (Malachi 3:10).  We must understand that God is at work, whatever grief we may experience or anticipate.  He not only comforts us in it, but through it He also reveals His future plan which is more glorious.  So be encouraged!