John 16:25-30 “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. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, 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 entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
 
WITH the cross quickly approaching, Jesus becomes the urgent, insistent Teacher. He needs to sharpen the disciples’ minds with sharper language, “I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.” “Be alert.” he effectively says. “It’s really not that hard to understand.” His method is not to change his language as much as it is to awaken the disciples’ ears to listen. Here is effectively what Jesus wants them to plainly hear:
   “In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” Jesus is telling the disciples they all will have complete access to the Father. They will be as close to the Father as Jesus is. Jesus will still intercede for them, but they will be joined with the Father as Jesus is.
   Second, Jesus teaches, “the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”  This is a significant change in the disciples’ view of God. Remember how Jesus has declared his love for the Father and the Father’s love for him. Jesus now says that same love from God will come to them! Third, Jesus summarizes his incarnation. “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” This is what the disciples witnessed. They knew him as fully man. And they knew his as fully God,  witnessing his power and watching him ascend to Heaven.
   What are the disciples going to do with this strong, personal three-point message? Of course, they will say, “Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” They want to please the Teacher. But, do they believe? The evidence will show they still don’t understand. None expected to see Jesus alive after the cross. They were emotionally strained and spiritually immature in that Upper Room. God would continue to work on them to that day when the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit unified their minds to truly know their confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16:16)
   How about you? Are you confessing Jesus? Do you know what  you will do with your confession? 

John 16:23-24 “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. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive that your happiness may be complete.”

GOOD questions guide us to gain knowledge and to understand. When you question with a willing mind, “wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10)
   In this Upper Room Discourse, we have read of the disciples’ many questions about Jesus’ departing words. Before Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, they were unable to grasp the full knowledge of the Lord’s words. Jesus said, “In that day.” to point to a change that is coming. “In that day” is the day these men will see the resurrected Lord and witness his ascension. It is the day the Holy Spirit will anoint them at Pentecost. It is the day they will begin teaching minds, healing bodies and saving souls. In that day is the day the questions will stop and the Kingdom harvest will begin.
     Suddenly, the apostles will gain the full knowledge of Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended. The wisdom of Christ “entered their heart”, so they could be Jesus’ apostles. These fishermen, tax collectors, philosophers and rebels will preach, teach and evangelize. They won’t have to ask the Father for these gifts. He will give them everything they need. Their lives changed. Then the world changed.
     Living in Jesus’ resurrection power is God’s gift to you through the Helper. On that day you were saved, God’s life gift opened your heart and mind to ask and receive God’s presence. In the Spirit’s power we also ask the right questions about Jesus to gain understanding. We pay close attention to the answers. When the truth comes, you absorb what God says. With the Spirit’s help, the Son’s knowledge and the Father’s grace, you will have what you need to help a broken world heal.   

John 16:16-22 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 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. 22 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.”
 
THE disciples are confused and afraid. To this point, Jesus has talked about one betraying him and told Peter that he will deny knowing Jesus. He has spoken of going away to prepare a new place for them. He promises a Helper will come to teach and guide them. Then he seems to speak a riddle, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” What does that mean?
   Again, this is Jesus preparing his friends for the incredible trauma of his death. Enormous emotional pain will flood their hearts. Fear will threaten to dislodge their faith. In the midst of their grief, he assures them joy will replace their grief. After just “a little while,” they “will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”   
   They will know the grief and fear that will cut through their hearts when Jesus brutally dies. But in “a little while” they will experience the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples will know the truth of, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) They will understand “a little while” was just three days. Yes, they will joyfully believe and understand John 14:4 “You know the way to the place where I am going.” when they watch him ascend to Heaven.
   If you are dealing with some form of pain and suffering, please remember two things. One, Jesus has come from Heaven to purposefully suffer and die in one of the world’s most horrible executions ever conceived. He is fully and personally aware of your suffering. Know he knows your need.
   Two, pray to know the purpose for your pain. Perhaps it has been to bring you closer to Jesus. Perhaps it is to teach those who care for you. Submit to God’s purpose and trust your Lord. Know truly it is only for “a little while”. Eternity’s joy is forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, there are many who suffer physical and emotional pain. Bring them close to you. Soothe their aching and wondering hearts with a generous touch of your personal healing, love, comfort, peace and joy. You heal every disease, Lord God, and I pray you heal the disease of each person who prays this today. In Jesus’ name, hear our prayers. Amen. 

John 16:12-15 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 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. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 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.”
 
SOME people trying to discredit the Bible will ask, “The Bible does not use the word ‘trinity’ to describe God. How, then, can you believe in God as one in three, a Holy Trinity?” Here is one place you can go to answer the question.
   As you read through John, Jesus is continually clear that he is in complete union with the Father. He affirms this again with, “All that belongs to the Father is mine.” He confirms all the words, the miracles and signs the disciples have seen in Jesus are a revelation of the Holy Lord God Almighty.
   Then he confirms, the Holy Spirit, will be as Jesus has been. He will be a Helper to teach and empower the disciples to true knowledge of God, the Father, Son and Spirit. The Spirit will continue the Son’s work to transform the disciples’ thinking and experiences to know the full wonder of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. The Good Teacher is preparing his top students for more to come. The Son sends the Spirit to continue the teaching.
   It is as if a good, knowledgeable teacher who has helped his students learn much is leaving his classroom for an administrative job in the school. He affirms to his students that his change in position will bring a new teacher to help them learn more of what he had begun to teach. The students can trust the new teacher as they have trusted him because she is true to the right knowledge. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
   The Holy Trinity is united to accomplish God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven. Father to Son to Spirit, God is three persons in one mysterious relationship. They are not three gods because they are of the same nature.
   John’s purpose to write this gospel was to focus on Jesus as the divine God. Here is one more way he does so. This was difficult, even impossible for the disciples to understand that day. But they would see the truth of Jesus’ words as they watched the Spirit empower their ministries to transform the world through the gospel. 

John 16:5-7 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. 7 But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you.”
 
THE disciples were very sad. They could not understand why Jesus would leave them. But he had to leave, didn’t he? It was time for the next step in God’s salvation plan for the world – even for you and me today.
   Sin causes sadness. Think of the reasons we mourn: death, broken relationships, disease, and lost opportunities are some. Then consider why these mournful circumstances exist. Grief came into the human heart when Adam and Eve realized their sin. Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
   Shame and guilt are mournful emotions. They separate us from God, and they isolate our hearts from real relationships with God and one another. Such hearts are mournful hearts.
   But rejoice! God teaches us he wants us to be with him. Psalms 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
   The forever faithful Lord Jesus assured his sad disciples that someone marvelous and strong would come to help them. The Savior of the world, the Redeemer of our souls, our eternal Friend Jesus would send a Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will overcome the sadness. He will transform hearts into joy. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17) God’s holiness lost in Eden will again enter human hearts.
   Acts 2-3 records these same despairing disciples become Spirit-empowered, joyful apostles. Yes, it’s true! Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  This and more is what Jesus’ Helper – the Holy Spirit – did for the disciples. He will do and is doing the same for you. Living in Jesus’ resurrection power is a life of joy when you know the Spirit is with you. Are you saved in Jesus’ blood by the Spirit’s power? Then be generous with your salvation. Joyfully live today in a way to show people Jesus is alive! Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
 

John 16:1-4 “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.”
 
WHAT would you think if your pastor preached these warning words? Would you think, “That’s crazy talk.” Or would you think, “I need to be prepared.”
   Jesus wants you prepared. The Bible warns and promises throughout that God’s chosen messengers have and will encounter various degrees and types of persecution. Jesus spoke these hard truths to his disciples, so they would be prepared for the opposition that would soon confront them.
    To help them stand up for Jesus, the Lord urged his disciples to remember he had predicted his own persecution. When the disciples experienced the terrible cross and the joyous resurrection, they would suddenly see Jesus’ had spoken of his own suffering and victory: Luke 18:32 “The Son of Man will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33 On the third day he will rise again.” This real-life demonstration of Jesus’ victory over the evil against him would fortify the apostles for the difficult days to mark the remainder of their lives.
   How easy it is to tell ourselves, “It’s too much.” when hardships arise. Many people quit a cause and even “quit” life when unprepared for obstacles. If we anticipate struggles, though, we become emotionally and spiritually ready. That’s why we need to know the Bible. God’s Story instructs us to move toward God’s strength, so we know his eternal victory over death belongs to we who believe. We can also learn from others godly people who have overcome barriers and stayed the course. That’s why Jesus pointed his disciples to, “All this I have told you.” His life-over-death struggle would increase their trust in his teaching. Stand against persecution. Know you are in God’s protection.
   Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 19 With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying. 
          Yes. Always keep on praying. 

John 15:24-25 “If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”
  
OVER the past few days, we have looked at John 15:17-25. One surprising lesson from Jesus in these verses is to understand the world opposes – even hates Jesus. Why would the creation so forcefully reject its Creator? Did they not desire the full blessings of God’s ways? What good promises he offered to them with such words as John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life.” And in John 10:9 “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.” In truth, the Jews’ complacent minds then, and ours now do not perceive The Way is truly The Gate to a purposeful, joyful life in God’s
physical and spiritual blessings.
   When I was farming years ago, there was sometimes a surprising limiting behavior in cattle. Periodically, we needed to move the cattle from their used-up pasture to a green, lush pasture prepared for them. The animals had grazed and lay on the pasture until only dry, minimal grass remained. The good grass awaited the cattle. When we simply opened the gate, they could easily walk through. Surely, the cattle would see the open gate and run for the new pasture!
   But they did not. Instead, they refused to go. Their habit each day before that gate-opening day was to walk by the closed gate. They had no anticipation of ever going to the good pasture. When we opened the gate then, their habits, in effect, kept the gate closed. But we wanted to help them see the new way and enjoy the truth of the good pasture. We worked to coax them through the gate. Eventually, one or two found the way. When others saw one of their own find new pasture, they, too, began to go. Finally, the entire herd followed. Some of the last few even ran through the gate! We were pleased, and so were the cattle! What fun it was to watch them as they romped, kicked up their heels and feasted on the blessing of the grass.
   Do you know God wants you “romping” in his lush pasture? But the Jews in Jesus’ day were like the cattle, and so are we. We all too easily have a kind of closed view, an opposition for Jesus. We reject The Way because we become comfortable in the way of minimal faith and worldly comforts. Such habits limit our minds and souls. They keep us from seeing God’s lush blessings of kingdom living. Too quickly, we become satisfied in our own biases, even as they leave us dry and hungry for God’s promises. We walk by God’s kingdom gate because we don’t believe God has opened our lives to a delightful personal relationship with him. Yes, let’s lift our eyes to the Way, so we can walk through the Gate. Jesus is the life-giving Way to dwell in God’s blessings. In the kingdom of God, the grass truly is greener in his pasture. Enter to “taste and see that the Lord is good, for blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8) In joy, remember Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

John 15:22-23 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well.”
 
WE may read these words and think, “If people never hear the
gospel, they will not be guilty of sin. They will go to Heaven.” But this is not Jesus’ meaning. This is never the Bible’s teaching.
   In contrast, the Bible declares there is no one who does not know God. For example, Paul writes in Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from Heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (underline mine)
   Jesus, then, is referring specifically to the Pharisees’ sin. “Their sin” is rejecting Jesus’ personal appearance to them. “They have no excuse for their sin,” Jesus says, because they have personally seen the Son of God! He is standing before them in the flesh. They have heard his testimonies of himself, of the Spirit and of the Father. These learned men have listened to his teachings. The Jewish authorities could touch the Lord, see his miracles, hear his voice and witness thousands of people go to him for teaching and healing. John the Baptist had also testified of Jesus’ identity. Even the Father had audibly declared, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22b)
   These men daily read the prophets and the law – words pointing to Jesus. In those prophetic words, God had said he would come, how he would come and what he would do. Then Jesus came to fulfill the Word. Still, the Jews refused to say, “Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. He is the Son of God.” Despite the evidence, they rejected the God who had so personally interjected himself into their lives.
   Do you personally see Jesus today? After all, you have the same evidence as the Jews. The Holy Bible is the law, the prophets and the gospel of God. We can even “touch” him through the testimonies of many whom he has dramatically transformed with his life-changing salvation. People saved from deadly illnesses, addictions or life-stifling sins, for example, will testify of the Lord’s personal touch to make them new. We see, too, God’s, “Yes.” answers to “impossible prayers”. And we watch faithful believers make a difference in the world just as Jesus promised they would.
   Our God is personal. He has promised he would come into the world. He has come in the flesh. Then Jesus promised he would send the Spirit. Now the Spirit very personally dwells within the lives of those who confess, “I have seen Jesus in my life.” Be alert, too. He promises to come again. He will one day. And there will be no excuse. Are you ready? Are you helping others be ready to personally receive the Lord? 

John 15:20-21 “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you, also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.”
 
DO you become discouraged because it seems no one wants to know about Jesus? You talk to your family, co-workers, neighbors, strangers and your church acquaintances about God’s care and blessings. In love and unity with God’s Holy Spirit, you offer to pray for people and lend a helping hand. Yet, many reject you. But be encouraged. As disappointing as it is to watch people reject the LORD God, Jesus said this would happen.
   The Bible tells you there are two distinct categories of people: those who do not believe in God and those who do. Recorded biblical history defines the difference in every generation beginning with Adam and Eve. Why then, would it be different now? Yes, Jesus has come. The New Testament of grace has been delivered and preached. Millions, perhaps billions, have confessed Jesus is Lord of their lives. But there are millions, likely billions, who have not. Jesus warned and at the same time encouraged his disciples to know they would rejoice and also struggle in their ministry. He assured them that many would oppose them. As some received Jesus in the early church, many more rejected him. This is one reason we have the gospels and epistles now. John, for example, wrote this gospel and other letters to evangelize and to defend the truth. Hebrews was written specifically to Jews who refused to receive Jesus as Messiah. Paul’s epistles were written mainly to churches who experienced failed faith and division because of false teachings. Much of John is about Jesus preparing his disciples for his departure. He speaks in many ways to strengthen their faith in him. He tells them the truth of how their ministry will be. His warnings of unbelief are preparation for the struggle all disciples encounter.
   Look again, too, at John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Our Lord had just washed his disciples’ feet. They are in awe of Jesus’ slave-like act. He has set an example in his work. He has set an example in his teaching. Gospel preaching is being a slave to the truth. We must tell it at all costs with no expectation of personal rewards. All we do must be focused on the Master’s glory.
   In faith and hope move on to those who will receive Jesus. Be quietly persistent to do the Lord’s will. Be encouraged. When your servant heart is as Jesus’ heart, God will move you past the unbelievers to discover those who believe.
   One other thing. Sometimes people who reject your words will receive another’s teaching. Or the Spirit will awaken them later to the truth. The Lord works in his time. Join him. Rejoice he has chosen you to serve the kingdom of God. There is no greater task than to be God’s tool of salvation into eternal life. Live in joy you get to do this. Your joy, then, will be complete.
 

John 15:17-19 “This is my command: Love each other. 18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
 
AS you would read through the entire gospel of John, perhaps you would wonder, “Why does Jesus often repeat such teachings as, “Love each other.”
   You can understand Jesus’ teaching and preaching methods when you briefly look at your family, city, nation, and church. Love is often minimal (if it exists at all) between “one another” isn’t it? We don’t need to be told, “Irritate one another. Be jealous of one another. Let pride guide your relationships. Do not forgive others.” These ways of destruction are normal between people. From Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 until today, history has recorded mankind does not naturally base our relationships on, “Love each other.”
   Even more, John’s record of Jesus’ repetitions comes from an apostle who has seen the world’s violent opposition to Jesus. He is the sole survivor of the apostles who were martyred for their love for Jesus and for others. The apostles loved the Jews and the Gentiles so much, they gave their lives that many would be saved. Acts 12:1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The elder apostle has witnessed much division in the church. He has seen that love is too often short-lived or entirely missing. 1 John 2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. When love is minimal, evil will overwhelm, sometimes subtly, always dividing through envy, anger and pride.   
   Yes, the world’s ways are our natural ways to live. Jesus repeatedly commands us out of the natural life into his supernatural power. His love is above all earthly love. To be sure, as the world constantly attacks our faith, even hates us for our faith, we must be even more diligent to demonstrate John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” In all circumstances be true to the Lord. Keep in mind he will reward your love with abundant joy forever. No measure of the world is so important that it should rule your life.
   Mark your life, instead, with a Jesus-like love for one another.