John 16:7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth…I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13
Today’s gospel reading had me thinking about truth telling. Apparently there are times better than others to lay it all out and that has something to do with the person to whom the truth teller is talking.
Truth of who Jesus was and what was to come and what God, his Father, was doing through him was revealed in and over God’s time. The disciples weren’t too shallow to know the truth, but Jesus, in his wisdom, knew they had no capacity for understanding it all in one fell swoop. More than wisdom, actually, it is compassion at play in his words, “you cannot bear them (all the facts) now.”
Personal application? Truth will be told. But sometimes the depth, dimension and facts of truth are better revealed over time, with a heart that accounts for the other to whom I tell my truth. So truth, yes. Always. But, not at all costs. Jesus teaches me here to have compassion for the hearer. Some truths are too hard to bear, let alone, hear, all at once.
And, too, Jesus teaches me I need and have help. I’m not alone – none of us are alone. The Spirit of truth is here to help me tell and the hearer to hear.
John 15:13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…
Praise Him.
Saturday Lectionary Readings: AM Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); PM Psalm 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117 Exod. 17:1-16; 1 Pet. 4:7-19; John 16:16-33
TRINITY SEASONS 