John 16:12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
Jesus had given them much to bear or carry since they had eaten their last meal together in the upper room. Because Jesus is the incarnation of the love of God, we know it is love for His Father and for His disciples that gave Him freedom to speak to them as He had. At this point, apparently there was an inner restraint in sharing more with them about what was to happen to and in them in the future. Love restrained Him. He knew they were not able to carry more than He had given them.
As we live to love with Jesus, we also need to have His sensitivity to the spiritual state and circumstances of those He puts in our paths. We might ask ourselves, “Are they spiritually able to receive the things I want to share with them? Are their circumstances in life such that more information would be overwhelming? Do they have ears to hear? Is it in their highest good for me to share with them? This verse informs us that there are times when we should restrain ourselves from saying things, even if they are words of encouragement, insight, and wisdom, out of love for someone. My guess is that most of us have “many more things to say,” but that doesn’t mean it is best or loving for us to say them. May the Holy Spirit give us discernment and discretion as to when and what to speak to those we love. Remember, apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. If He isn’t speaking, then neither should we.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
