There was more they needed to know, but this night wasn’t the night.

Though Jesus had given His disciples the full gospel, the implications of that gospel were yet to be fully realized — and that would have to wait until another time. At this time, their hearts were troubled (John 14:1, 27). For though He had said He would come again, they were still wrestling with understanding why He had to leave them in the first place. Though He promised them a peace unlike anything the world could give, at least right now, they weren’t feeling it. So, while there was more they needed to know, this night was not the night. And this morning, I’m chewing on the thought that what was true for them might just be true for me, as well.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” ~ Jesus

(John 16:12 ESV)

So much more to learn about the Law of the Spirit in relation to the Law of Moses. So much to learn about walls of hostility coming down between Jew and Gentile. So much to learn about faith and works and the relationship between the two.

So much more to know about walking in the Way. So much more to understand about following Jesus. So much more to grasp of what it means to bear one’s cross. So much more to realize just how slow sanctification can be. So much more to internalize the unbelievable nature of overflowing, abundant grace.

So much more . . . but not right now. ‘Cause right now, it would be too much more. More than could be taken in. More than could be carried forward. More than they could bear.

Thus, there would be more to come.

A principle well applied, I think, regardless of how long one has been following Jesus. That, regardless of how long we’ve been talking the talk and walking the walk, while we might know some things — maybe even a lot of things — we don’t know everything. In fact, there’s many things our Lord still needs to say to us. But not right now, for right now we cannot bear them.

Wouldn’t actualizing this principle save us from a lot? A lot of pride? A lot of judgment? A lot of misdirected zeal? I’m thinkin’ . . .

No, as I pause and reflect back over the years, I’m knowin’ . . .

There’s been more than a few of these “many things” said to me over the past few years in particular. So many, that it’s been kind of humbling. Yet so many that it has also been kind of exhilarating. Exhilarating because hearing these “many things” has meant repeated encounters of the divine kind.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth . . . ”

(John 16:13a ESV)

I’ve often referred to the lessons learned over these past several years as points of “clarity.” But this morning, I know they are more the active agency of illumination — Spirit-communicated lucidity. Lights going on. Dots being connected. Depths being revealed. Old truths appreciated to a new level.

I’m thinking that if anyone should be a “lifelong learner” it’s the believer. That if anyone should be prepared to be surprised by realizing how little they’ve known about what they think they’ve known really well, it’s the mere mortal indwelt with the eternal, all-knowing Spirit of truth.

So, I’m pretty sure there’s more to come. I’m thinking there’s still many things He needs to say to me.

Lord, give me ears to hear what You, through the Spirit, have yet to say to me. Set my heart towards being guided into all truth.

By Your grace. For Your glory.