Read: John 16
In this
passage, Jesus is preparing the disciples for what will happen after His death
and they react with grief (v. 6). The
problem is that the disciples are focusing on themselves rather than on
Jesus. Earlier Jesus mentioned that it
is a blessing for Him to leave them and return to the Father. Now He adds that He will send the Holy
Spirit. The role of the Spirit is to interpret and bear witness to Jesus and
His revelation of the Father (v. 12-15) who will deepen their knowledge of the
Father. The Holy Spirit will convict the
world in the area of sin (v. 9), righteousness (v. 10) and judgement (v.
11). The Holy Spirit will also enable
them to grasp the teachings of Christ (v. 13) through guiding them. The rest of the chapter directs the
disciples’ attention towards what they are about to experience as a result of
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Soon their grief will be turned to joy (v. 16-21) using the illustration
of a woman who experiences pain in childbirth.
They will see Him again (v. 22) and enter into a new level of intimacy in
their relationships with Him and the Father (v. 23-28). The disciples respond with an affirmation of
faith (v. 29-30) but it is premature for they do not know what lies ahead. Jesus does not conclude on a down note, but
instead assures them of peace because He has conquered the world (v. 33).
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Have you acknowledged your need for the Holy
Spirit? Do you ask for Him to help you
live out His desires in your life every day? Spend some time thanking God for
the gift of the Holy Spirit! Thank Him
for His revelation, guidance and that He speaks to us (v. 13). Pray that the Spirit will teach you what it
means to walk with Him daily, moment by moment.
2. In the
midst of suffering and hard times, Jesus offers peace. He doesn’t promise to take all the hard stuff
away, but He promises us that we can have peace through the tough times. Think about a tough circumstance in your life
and ask the Lord to grow in you the character required to have peace through
that circumstance. Thank Him for the
peace that He offers you, in the midst of your circumstance.
