The greatest blow to new believer’s lives in Jesus is when the first hint of trouble comes or calamity happens that robs our joy and wipes the smile off our faces. Our first thought is nearly always, “Why is this happening to me (or us)?” This comes because of not remembering or totally ignoring the warnings Jesus told us would occur in this imperfect, sin-filled world of people who do not know or believe Jesus and are led by the coach of the other team—the team of demons. We must choose whose team we are on before troubles come. Troubles will come and go. When we least expect it, expect it. “Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”—Jesus, John 16:33
Jesus knew his beloved humans seated around the Passover Meal would need help to understand what was about to happen to Him and then to his disciples who would follow Him in Kingdom of God teaching and living. They will suffer what Jesus is about to suffer from those who want to put a stop to the Way, Truth, and Life. Imagine what the disciples are going to face when their Compassionate, Wise Teacher, whom they have relied on to be the Spokesperson for God in their midst, leaves them to go back to his Father in heaven? What then?? What must each man be thinking as Jesus is speaking of “things to come” very soon?
Try to put yourself there at the Table with Jesus. Try to imagine the fear, anxiety and wondering that is growing in their minds as Jesus talks about things that will happen that are far worse than they can wrap their brains around. Imagine hearing all this for the first time! We have read the outcomes; they are just now trying to understand it. “I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.” Wait, what?!
John 16, The Message
1-4 “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.
The Friend Will Come
4-7 “I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become. So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.
8-11 “When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
12-15 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’
16 “In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me.”
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND TODAY?
The disciples, who lived and worked with Jesus, had been his close friends for three years. They were saddened and afraid to hear him talk of leaving them. Jesus tried to help his friends see the bigger picture—that God had a purpose and a plan. But he also comforted them by promising to be with them through his Spirit. The “Friend” Jesus is talking about is His Holy Spirit who comes to live within our souls that nano second we say yes to Jesus! God-Jesus-Holy Spirit, Three-In-One, leading us to victory over sin, through all the troubles of this imperfect world. His Holy Spirit is always with us providing wisdom, comfort, conviction and resolve in power, the same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave!
Our Father has no intention of letting us fall. We may fail but we will not fall. We can’t see Him, but He is present and is always at work in us. We are “shielded by God’s power” (1Peter 1:5). And He is “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 24).
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:15-17, NIV
May we center our thoughts on this Truth. God is able to keep us from falling! Does He want us living in fear? No! Just the opposite. The Spirit we received does not make us slaves to sins any longer, so that we live in fear again; rather, the Spirit we received brought about our adoption to sonship—We are family! And by Jesus we cry, “‘Abba, (Daddy in Hebrew) Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
We have been well-warned and made ready. Jesus died for our sins, removing them as far as the east is from the west. Three days later, Jesus defeated the Enemy, Death, and rose again to declare the glory and power of God over the Enemy.
Eternal Life is the Gift is for ALL who believe in Jesus! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
Power is the gift of His Holy Spirit to endure suffering for a little while through the troubles of this world and with the promise to share in His glory as “joint heirs with Christ” when we leave earth to be with Him forever.
Lord,
Thank you for the warnings with words of readiness to prepare us for the troubles of this world. Troubles come and go, but most of all we remember that you are with always—even until the end of this age. With us means we are given the power and strength to endure momentary sufferings here until we see you there. The power to endure also restores the joy of your salvation work within us! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
To you be the glory!
In Jesus Name, Amen
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 