INTRODUCTION.
There’s a time and a purpose for everything (see Ecclesiastes 3:1). The time when the disciples would endure great suffering had come. Jesus’ presence had shielded them from the fiery darts of scorn, but it was time for His return to God. He loved His disciples and was compelled to remind them of His inevitable departure and to prepare them for the conflicts to come. This disheartened them. They were worried about themselves at the prospect of losing their Leader. Their priorities may seem self-centered and shortsighted, but nevertheless entirely human. Christ offered specific knowledge of all that would come to pass; but being overwhelmed with sorrow, the disciples forgot that His stay on earth was only temporary.