Scripture reading – John 16; John 17
John 16 and John 17 record the things Jesus taught His disciples after they observed the Passover and made their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. With passionate zeal, knowing His hour was come (John 16:32), Christ taught His disciples some of the great principles of Biblical faith. Remembering these were His last words to His followers, we should pay particular attention to the truths in today’s Scripture reading. Our devotional challenge is taken from John 16.
John 16
A Prophecy of Future Sorrows and Suffering (John 16:1-6)
Lest His disciples falter in their faith, Jesus warned them that when He was gone out of the world, they would face persecution and be “put out of the synagogues” (John 16:2a). Some would be killed by those purporting to do the work of God (John 16:2b). Religious zealots would commit wickedness acts against believers, who neither knew God the Father or His Son (John 16:3-4).
Understanding Jesus would depart, His disciples’ hearts and thoughts were filled with fear and sorrow. Yet, they failed to ask, “Whither goest thou?” (John 16:5-6). Nevertheless, Christ promised they would not be alone.
The Presence and Work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15)
Jesus promised earlier that evening that He would send a Comforter (John 14:16-17). Indeed, He needed to depart so that the Holy Spirit would come unto them (John 16:7). And when the Spirit came, Jesus promised He would “reprove [convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged [the fate of the devil would be sealed]” (John 16:7-11).
Thus, the Holy Spirit’s work is to convict and convince us of our sins (John 16:9) and Christ’s righteousness (Acts 17:31; John 16:10). Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection sealed Satan’s fate and, therefore, “the prince of this world is judged” and condemned (John 16:11).
The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth,” a guide to truth, and a teacher and revealer of “things to come” (16:13). The Spirit’s work is to glorify Christ (John 16:14) and reveal His divine character to believers (John 16:15). Jesus was going away (for in a few hours He would be put to death). Nevertheless, He promised, “a little while, and ye shall see me,” but He must “go to the Father” (John 16:16).
The Comfort and Central Doctrine of the Resurrection (John 16:16-33)
The disciples had yet to understand that Christ must die according to the Scriptures (Isaiah 53) and “go to the Father” (John 16:16). Foretelling His death, Jesus warned they would “weep and lament [His death], but the world would rejoice” (John 16:20a). Though they would sorrow, Jesus promised, “your sorrow shall be turned into joy” (John 16:20b).
Like a mother suffers labor pangs before she rejoices in the birth of her infant, Jesus promised after a season of sorrow, the disciples would see Him again, and their hearts would turn to rejoicing (John 16:22). Notice that the resurrection of Jesus Christ not only gives believers cause for rejoicing, but also assures us of answered prayers (John 16:23-24).
What a tremendous promise we have when we read, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you…ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24).
Closing thoughts –
How did the disciples respond to Jesus after He revealed He would die and be raised from the dead? They affirmed that they believed He was Christ. Yet Christ asked: “Do ye now believe?” (John 16:30-31).
The disciples were unaware that Judas had gone to the high priests and would lead soldiers to the Garden that night to arrest Jesus. He warned them, “The hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (John 16:32). The disciples’ hearts would soon be overwhelmed with sorrow. Yet, Jesus promised, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Every heart is void and longing for peace. Tragically, most look to fill their emptiness with the world’s philosophies and pleasures (1 John 2:15-17). Lest we be tempted to do the same, Jesus warned that the world brings trouble and tribulations (John 16:33b). Christ, however, promised peace that overcomes the world (John 16:33c). After all…
He is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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