John 16:25-33


John 16:25-33
25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. 28 “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 “Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Major changes are about to take place in the lives of the disciples.  The crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are all going to be taking place over the next few days and weeks.  The lives of the disciples are never going to be the same.  As Jesus continues to prepare them for these events, He wants them to understand the trials they will face and the resources they will have.  The presence of Jesus in heaven instead of being with us creates many challenges in our lives.  It is important to remember that this is only a temporary state and that even now He is making provision in our lives.

COMFORT IN THE FATHER’S LOVE: There are many things about the Trinity that are difficult for us to understand.  What we do know is that there is profound love and loyalty between the Father, Son and Spirit.  They are three persons co-equal as one God that live in perfect relationship with one another.  In the midst of all that is happening and will happen in the disciple’s lives, Jesus wants to make sure they understand the message that they are loved by the Father, Son and Spirit.  All who recognize Jesus as the Son of God and trust Him for forgiveness of sin will live forever in the presence of God.  We will understand so much more then as we enjoy participating in the love and loyalty of the Trinity without any of the effects of sin to distract us or diminish our joy.  However, as believers, we have access to God right now through prayer, Scripture and the Spirit’s dwelling in us.  Because the Son is with the Father, the Spirit is with us.  This should be a great comfort to all of us as we struggle through this sinful world.  It should give us great hope as we look forward to joining the joy of the Trinity in an ever-growing way.

CONFIDENCE IN THE DISCIPLE’S MINDS: It is so easy for us to become overconfident and think that we understand everything.  Certainly, we are growing and making progress, but we tend to think every step forward is definitive.  When, in reality, it is one of many steps that we need to take forward.  The disciples respond to the statement Jesus made by assuring Him that they understood His teaching.  They declare that they believe and need no further explanation.  Jesus knows better.  He warns them that there are difficult days ahead.  He lets them know that they will abandon Him and be scattered.  Following Jesus is not easy.  There is always a price to pay that is more than we expected.  We will never “arrive” this side of heaven.  Guard our hearts from overconfidence during times of progress.

COURAGE IN THE LORD’S POWER: Even thought the Lord was abandoned by all the disciples, He was not alone because the Father was with Him.  The tribulation and persecution that will come as a result of following Jesus will not be easy to face.  However, we will not be alone in them.  The Holy Spirit is with us.  He was sent by the Son who is with the Father and has overcome the world.  The power that we have as a result of the Trinity is far greater than any power this world can muster.  This world has no power to influence us outside of this time and place.  No matter how difficult or disastrous this world can be, our eternity with Christ is secure.  Satan and the society in which we live are powerless to impact our eternity if we have trusted Jesus.

APPLICATION: Know that that we are loved by the Father, Son and Spirit.  It is not something we deserve, but is a blessing above any other blessing we could have.  Don’t become overconfident in our understanding of God our commitment to follow Christ.  We are making progress, but we still have very far to go.  No matter what we might face, Jesus is more powerful than any circumstance or trial we will face today or any day.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more