Don't tell the children everything...
Illustration
"Don't tell the children everything," the chaplain said to the young widow, "but don't lie
to them, either." She was talking about helping children deal with a tragic death in the
family. You don't inform children of all horrible details of a tragic death. They can't bear
everything at once. It's enough initially to tell them that their loved one died and to
reassure them that you'll care for them. The time will come (maybe as early as tomorrow)
to inform them more fully.
Jesus is the compassionate one. He promised not to leave his students orphaned (John 14:18), and he deals with them now as they are capable of understanding him. He's the great counselor who promises another "Counselor." The Holy Spirit will bring the fullest and deepest understanding of who he was and what he meant. For now Jesus doesn't tell them everything. He won't lie to them, either. They'll understand better later (maybe by Sunday morning).
Jesus is the compassionate one. He promised not to leave his students orphaned (John 14:18), and he deals with them now as they are capable of understanding him. He's the great counselor who promises another "Counselor." The Holy Spirit will bring the fullest and deepest understanding of who he was and what he meant. For now Jesus doesn't tell them everything. He won't lie to them, either. They'll understand better later (maybe by Sunday morning).
