Tag: John 16
“Do you now believe?”
Scripture reading for April 28: John 16
“Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:30-33
Jesus’ disciples had just experienced the last Passover meal with Jesus where He had shared with them the coming events. One (Judas) would and had betrayed Him. Peter would deny Him three times. And now, all of them would be scattered and forsake Jesus during this coming trial. Jesus would give His body and blood as atonement for sin, demonstrating the love of God His Father for each of them and for the whole world. He had shared an extensive teaching on the Holy Spirit, the Father’s Gift of Comforter, Helper, and constant companion. He told them that they would be able to ask in His Name for anything, and it would be done. They would go through sorrow, but their sorrow would be turned to joy.
They had professed to believe in Him and felt that Jesus had demonstrated His knowledge of all things. They claimed to know that He came from God. But now Jesus declared all of their coming fearful reactions to His crucifixion. “Do you really believe?” was Jesus question for them. He had told them all these hard truths that they might believe in Him and have peace in the midst of the trial and afterwards. He declared peace over their lives and assured them of His own victory over death and the world! The rest was up to them to choose faith and begin believing, asking and living a life of peace.
What claims, promises, or declarations of Jesus have opened your eyes to truly believe in Him? “Do you now really believe?” What indications of believing stated by Jesus can you list as confirmation that you are living by faith?
Prayer: Father God, I have often wrestled early in my faith life with whether my faith was sufficient. Thank You for assuring me through Your Word that I am Your child through faith in Jesus Christ. Let Your peace in my daily life be a reason that others ask me for the reason! I gladly will share Jesus Christ! Amen.
The Spirit of Truth
Scripture reading for April 27th: John 16
Key Scriptures for over-comers: John 16: 12-14 “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.”
We are born into a world of sin and lies. The first lie that we are under is that we can be god ourselves. We are born with that lie and the world seeks to keep us under that futile way of living. But Jesus came to bring abundant life! He would do it by new birth and a gift of eternal life to all who would repent and believe on Him. His resurrection would make available the “gift of the Father”, the Holy Spirit to live in each person. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He would lead all Jesus’ followers into the truth by revealing Christ’s words to them and showing them what was to come by revelation. The Spirit would make Christ and His word known and understandable to them, bringing glory to Jesus!
Observations for over-comers: We must welcome the Holy Spirit into our daily life and conversation. He is the Spirit of Truth, making known Christ and His will to us personally. “I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
No one will take away your joy!
Scripture reading for April 28th: John 16
Because He was soon leaving them, Jesus warned the disciples of coming persecution. They would be put out of the synagogue and some would be killed by people thinking that they were doing God a favor. People who would do this did not know Jesus or the Father. This warning would help them to know that what was happening to them was in God’s plan and understanding.
“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. . .” (John 16:7-9) “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 take of Mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13-14)
Jesus would not leave His followers alone or helpless. They would have a Counselor who would come to them and live in them. This Spirit of Truth would take the things of Jesus and reveal them to the disciples. He would guide them into all truth and tell them things to come. They would be able to ask the Father for anything in Jesus’ Name and He would do it for them! (John 16:23-24) What amazing words of encouragement and hope from our Savior! His Spirit will keep us close to Jesus by taking His words and revealing them to us!