Nougat 31

For several years now, there’s been a saying in circulation about reasons, seasons, and lifetimes in friendship. While that is not a major concern in our walk with Jesus – He’s all of the above, with us for a reason, season and lifetime – there are elements in the argument worth unpacking some more.

Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

John 16:5, 7 NIV

[5] but now I am going to him who sent me. …

[7] But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Accompaniment: Time and Seasons

As cheesy as it may sound, there is merit in understanding the adage about friendships. When we know the reason behind someone’s presence in our lives, the knowledge allows us to walk in purpose. Plus, our ability to distinguish between seasonal and lifetime frees us from harbouring recriminations and clears misunderstandings. This is true in Christian as well as regular friendships.

In looking at our Nougat, we realize that Jesus was not just the disciples’ teacher, mentor, and friend, He also accompanied them. Accompaniment that lasted approximately 3 years. But what a season! Teaching, touring, gleaning key insights about life, God’s love, and the Kingdom of God. This wasn’t all contained in sermons and practicals. Some of it would have been discerned while they had traversed the cities and towns.

Jesus, we realise, understood the times and seasons. He knew that His finite body was on earth for a limited time, so what He did, He did with intentionality. That included His departure. Jesus didn’t just give Himself time to prepare for His departure, He also prepared the disciples for His departure.

He had a viable succession plan. Of His advanced class of disciples, only one ‘failed’ to become an apostle. Even then, there was someone adequately trained to take over. What does our succession plan look like?

Recognising that the disciples, soon to be apostles, would still need divine guidance, Jesus had already made plans for the disciples. As we noted yesterday and the two days prior, Jesus had already arranged for the Comforter and Advocate, i.e., God’s Spirit, to be with them.

Siblings, life on this side of eternity is short. We must make the most of it. Jesus knew that physically, His time with the disciples was but for a season. He maximised the moments. He understood the reason, and Jesus’ impact had lasted beyond the disciples’ lifetime. As we accompany others or accept the accompaniment of others, let us not be bogged by the duration of our time together. Rather, may we ensure that lessons learned and shared are the best for the season and reason. And may God’s impact on others through us last beyond our lifetime.

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ