Neither Here Nor There

John 16:16-20

“A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.”

My sons, I can’t tell you why Jesus Christ chose to speak like this.  It would appear that even his own disciples, who listened to him daily, couldn’t always understand what he was saying.  I can only imagine that if God, the alpha and omega, love itself, and the great architect of everything from DNA to the curves of Elizabeth Hurley’s breasts (google her) became human then that human would definitely NOT speak normally.  Put another way, Jesus of Nazareth spoke with a subconscious of infinite understanding, and if that doesn’t have an effect on the way you talk to your friends I don’t know what will.

Jesus is saying I’m going to “leave” soon, but you will see me again.  It means no matter what happens going forward I will be neither here nor there, but rather everywhere.  I will always be with you.  Even at times where it appears that I have abandoned you I am still right there with you, and you should take comfort in that knowledge.  “You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” means that although it is sad that he had to die for our sins and no longer live with his friends and family as a human, the fact that he is transcending death and making himself available for all as lord and savior is reason to celebrate.  He cannot “stay” as we might understand it, but in not physically staying he is permanently remaining with us.  Just like when I leave this world; I may not be able to sit or stand with you again, but my love will always be with you: forever.