And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.
Christ comforted Himself that though He went away, He would come again, a truth we need told again and again when grief clouds our faith. His departure to the Father is your advantage, not your loss, because the Father is greater than He.
AI summary
Commenting on John 14:28-31
Verse 29. Before it come to pass. Before my death, resurrection, and ascension. Ye might believe. Ye might be confirmed or strengthened in faith by the evidence which I gave that I came from God--the power of foretelling future events.
The time of our Saviour's death now nearer and nearer approaching, he prepares the expectation of his disciples for it, because evils that surprize us suddenly, do sink our spirits sadly: whereas what we fear, for that we prepare. Accordingly our Lord arms his disciples against all disquietude, and overwhelming sorrow for his departure from them: I have told you before, that when it comes...