By Pastor Don Schatz

For Now

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud Link

“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a  little while you will see me.”

John 16:16 New International Version

My son recently traded in his first car.  He had it for 20 years.  If you liked your vehicle, and it served you well, there is typically an element of nostalgia when it is time to let it go.

This calendar year is fading, fast.  How has the year been for you?  Will you miss it, feel a touch of nostalgia?  Did the year treat you well?  Are you sorry to see it go?  Does its waning cause some misgiving, perhaps a taste of dread?  Does today find you looking back more than around, or ahead?

Imagine Jesus’ disciples on the evening of Judas’s betrayal.  “In a little while you will see me no more.”  As if they weren’t already confused.  As if their hearts were not already gripped by misgiving and fear from some unseen force.   As if they weren’t pining at least a bit for the safety of Galilee, far from Jerusalem.  As if they had never imagined that this “ride” they were on with Jesus would end.  ‘What?  Where are you going?’

“And then after a little while you will see me.”  I’m guessing that didn’t make things clearer.  As if their heads, and hearts, weren’t already spinning.  ‘We are dizzy here, Jesus.  We are still stuck on that first thing you said.  We can’t see ahead.’  Then came Sunday.  Initially, they still had trouble seeing ahead.

Between today and New Year’s Day comes Christmas.  The celebration of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Today, looking ahead from the midst of Advent, we are reminded that Christ is coming.  Christ came.  Christ comes today in Word and Sacraments.  Christ will come again.  Believe him.  Receive him.  Greet him.

Hello, old friend!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado