*John 16:5-33
Jesus comforts his disciples, promising the Holy Spirit and his return.
- Jesus Prepares His Disciples:
- Jesus speaks to His disciples, acknowledging that He will soon depart to return to the Father.
- He notices their sorrow but reassures them that His departure is beneficial for them.
- Promise of the Holy Spirit:
- He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, or Advocate, who will guide, teach, and convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.
- The Spirit will glorify Jesus and reveal further truths that the disciples are not yet ready to understand.
- Jesus Foretells Their Sorrow:
- Jesus prepares the disciples for the coming period of grief, comparing it to a woman experiencing labor pains before the joy of childbirth.
- He assures them that while they will weep and lament, their sorrow will soon turn into joy.
- Prayer in Jesus’ Name:
- He encourages the disciples to pray directly to the Father in His name, promising that their requests will be fulfilled and their joy will be complete.
- Assurance of Peace and Victory:
- Jesus speaks of His teachings in figurative language but promises clarity in the future.
- He assures them of His intimate relationship with the Father.
- Despite the imminent trials and persecution, He urges them to find peace in Him, emphasizing His victory over the world.
John 16:5-33 teaches us that even in difficult times, we are never alone because God is with us. Jesus tells His disciples that He must leave, but the Holy Spirit will come to guide and comfort them. He also reminds them that they will face trouble in the world but should have peace because He has already won the victory. We can apply this by trusting God when life feels hard, knowing that His Spirit is always with us. Instead of letting fear or worry take over, we can find peace in Jesus, knowing that He is in control and will never leave us.
John 16:5-33 (WEB)
16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; 9 about sin, because they don’t believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; 11 about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.16 “A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20 Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.23 “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”29 His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. 30 Now we know that you know all things, and don’t 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, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”