What does a “little while” mean?

What does a “little while” mean anyway? Peter in his first letter talks about a “little while” in the context of the early church’s suffering and that it will end in that amount of time. I can’t recall what the best estimate for when Peter wrote the letter but it is more than a thousand years ago, closer to two thousand, and that isn’t “little” in my context. So. When is this happening?

I’m afraid I am not in a position to tell you. I have given various reasons for this over the years but this week I spent less time with the reasons and more time with what we should be doing as we wait. One of the other lessons for this Sunday included Acts 1:8 where Jesus says to his disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NRSV) He is reassuring them that even when he leaves them they (and us) won’t be left alone and will have meaningful things to do on Jesus’ behalf.

I find this comforting and I hope you do too. I will certainly understand if you don’t. Give one or both of the sermons a listen and let me know what you think.

“So. When?” Knox Presbyterian (to download, right-click and select “Save Link As . . .”)