Not all Christ's sayings were understood by His dis- ciples. We are told this distinctly in the passage we have now read. — " What is this that he saith ? We, cannot tell what he saith." — None ever spake so plainly as Jesus. None were so thoroughly accustomed to His style of teaching as the Apostles. Yet even the Apos- tles did not always take in their Master's meaning. Surely we have no right to be surprised if we cannot in- terpret Christ's words. There are many depths in thera which we have no line to fathom. But let us thank God that there are many sayings of our Lord recorded which no honest mind can fail to understand. Let us use diligently the light that we have, and not doubt that " to him that hath more shall be given."
We learn, for one thing, in these verses, that ChrisVs absence from the earth will he a time of sorroio to believ- ers^ but of joy to the world. It is written, " Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice." To con- fine these words to the single point of Christ's approach- ing death and burial, appears a narrow view of their meaning. Like many of our Lord's sayings on the last evening of His earthly ministry, they seem to extend over the whole period of time between His first and sec- ond advents.
Christ's personal absence must needs be a sorrow to all true-hearted believers. " The children of the bride- chamber cannot but fast when the bridegroom is taken from them." Faith is not sight. Hope is not certainty. Reading and hearing are not the same as beholding. Praying is not the same as speaking face to face. There is somethings even in the hearts of the most eminent saints, that will never be fully satisfied as long as they are on earth and Christ is in heaven. So long as they dwell in a body of corruption, and see through a glass darkly, -so long as they behold creation groaning under