SCRIPTURE: JOHN 16
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (vs. 5-16)
Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:: In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
THE DISCIPLE’S GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY (vs. 17-33)
When Jesus said “in a little while, I am going to the Father, you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me”, some of his disciples did not understand. So Jesus explained to them: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. As and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (vs. 20-24)
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. On that day you will ask in my name, I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” (vs. 25-28).
The disciples understood what Jesus said and believed that He came from God. So Jesus answered. “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (vs. 31-35)
THOUGHTS:
In his last moments, Jesus warned his disciples about further persecution. He told them where, when and why he was going and assured them that they would not be left alone. He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach them the truth.
Three important tasks of the Holy Spirit:
- To convince the world of its sins and calling it to repentance.
- To reveal God’s righteousness and discernment of right and wrong to anyone who believes.
- To demonstrate Christ’s judgment over Satan.
When Jesus died, the disciples wept while the world rejoiced. But when Jesus arose from death, the disciples rejoiced. The world’s values are often the opposite of God’s values. So Christians should expect continuing tension with an unbelieving world. We should take courage in spite of the inevitable struggles we will face because Jesus will remember us and give us peace and comfort.