The Gospel of John Lesson 72 (04-27-14) John 16:25-33

The Gospel of John Lesson 72 (04-27-14) 

Lesson 72 – John 16:25-33 

In v. 25 He tells them that up until this point what He has shared with them has been things that are hard to conceptualize and understand because they are foreign concepts to them being realities that are not of this world. Because of this He has used metaphors and parables and the like to give them a vague idea of a reality of what He was attempting to show them. They were concepts above their reality.

However, a new level and understanding was about to arrive. Soon with the arrival of the Holy Spirit they would be able to see clearly what Jesus was referring to, being able to communicate directly and plainly with the Father. Somehow this Holy Spirit would have the ability to reveal to them plainly what Jesus’ Kingdom would be like and what it was all about.

This really will be new for them. Not only would they be able to see the Father and understand His ways and purposes, but what will be truly amazing is that now they will begin to become fluent in this new to them mystery of the Kingdom, so much so, that they will be able to talk the language, so to speak, back to God the Father directly, and, in time speak it fluently. I Cor. 2:9-13

This new spiritual perspective and insight would temper everything that they think and do. But, for now, at this moment, this new reality had not come and they were still unable to comprehend what Jesus was referring to. In vs. 29 and 30 His disciples after hearing what Jesus had just spoken for some reason reply in the affirmative telling Jesus that they now understand and that things are clear to them now as to what is happening concerning who He is and where He is going. However, Jesus replies back to them in a doubtful tone.

In vs. 29 and 30 they all agree and reply that they now understand who He is and that they fully believe in His message and in Him, essentially telling Jesus that they are with Him and committed to Him no matter what may come. But, Jesus knowing man’s heart and ability knows that their commitment without the help of God’s Spirit will not be enough telling them in v. 30 that their belief in Him is not yet complete going on to give them the reality that even now after all that He has taught them and all that they had been through that when pressed hard enough on their own in their own ability and power that they will deny Him and scatter. The natural man even with the best intentions will not survive the test of Satan to deny Christ when life gets tough. (The need for John 15)

It is interesting that soon the test will come and indeed they will not pass it. Soon while in the Garden of Gethsemane, we will see Jesus rebuke them for being unable to stand strong when Jesus needed them most. They were being human. It was late in the night. Their eyes were heavy and they could not stay awake. We can identify with them.

However, did they even really try? Some would say yes,…give them some slack, they were tired, we can identify. But, Jesus tells them something interesting in that moment that He returns from praying in the Garden and finds them sleeping. He tells them in v. 41 of Matthew chapter 26 to watch and pray so that they do not enter into temptation. Another version puts it “so you do not undergo the test”. What temptation, what test?

Jesus knows what’s coming and here at the end of John 16 when His disciples now assure Him and honestly believe that they now get it and are fully committed to the cause, Jesus tells them that their best will not be enough to survive the temptation and test of Satan which Jesus Himself will face in His remaining moments.

We forget that Jesus Himself will face the test of continuing to the destination of the reality of the Cross and that in His final moments in His praying to the Father He wrestled with the enormity of what was ahead. Unlike the disciples, however, Jesus was ready for it. He remained connected to the Father, abiding in Him all the way. He knew what it would take to survive the temptation of the moment being tempted to take the easier way out being tempted to turn from the Cross. However, Jesus would always choose to do the Father’s will no matter what the consequences. But, in that moment in the Garden when Jesus could have used some help and support from His disciples they failed Him. Jesus, however, gave them some constructive advice sharing with them and us the secret of His success…prayer with the Father. Soon, in John chapter 17, in Jesus’ final moments before the Cross when things will be the most difficult we will see Jesus resort to His source of power and strength giving Him the ability to complete the course.

But before we go there, we cannot leave chapter 16 behind before we take a look at its last verse, v. 33. In v. 33 Jesus tells them “these things I have spoken to you that you might have peace”. What things was Jesus referring to? Well, the things that He had shared with them after leaving the upper room. What we see here in chapters 14-6 is a rather lengthy discussion between Jesus and His disciples prior to the Cross and His departure.

Notice Jesus’ perspective in v. 33. Here it is, Jesus is the one that will suffer and die. Jesus is the one that will be forsaken and will be left alone. However, in His remaining moments before the Cross He is thinking about them, being sure that they have what they will need not only to see them through the next few days, but words that will sustain them in their future work and ministry.

In v. 33 He tells them that what He has just shared with them is pretty important. Were they listening? We hope so. We know that at least John was listening for he had penned these words. However, even if they were listening, and, it appears that they were, as yet they did not understand much of what He told them. But, they would eventually in time.

We see the Apostle John restate much of what he had heard that night in his relatively short letter of I John telling those connected to him looking for guidance and encouragement that their source of encouragement and Joy will come from the same source that he had received it from, being the words and instruction that he had received that night from Jesus. In the remaining hours notice that Jesus giving instruction and perspective on what will not fail them Jesus points them to Himself telling them that their peace in life will be found in Him and the application of His teachings. They would not find it in worldly wisdom.

At the end of v. 33 He does more than just tell them that their being in the world that they will have troubles as His followers. In saying this He was not just saying that they would have a bad day. I believe that He was actually warning them that the difficulty will be with their wrestle and temptation with the world’s ways and principles dominating their perspective and lifestyle. Their trouble or tribulation would come in their temptation in going back to their old lifestyle. Jesus knew that this is where the difficulty in life lays, the call and temptation of the world to come join them essentially leaving the things and perspective of Christ behind.

 In v.32 Jesus warns them of this telling them that a time will come soon that they will not only be tempted to abandon Him, but will indeed do so saying that they will go back to their old lifestyle leaving Jesus essentially behind and going home. This is exactly what we see following Jesus’ death. Peter, James and John went back fishing and the others did not know what to do with themselves after all that they had seen and had been through, surprisingly giving way and going back to their old way of life. The natural man and his lifestyle is apathetic toward God and His ways and sees spiritual things as foolishness, I Cor. 2:14. In watching how the natural man lives his lifestyle proves it. Give him enough time and eventually to him God will be nonexistent and his lifestyle will prove it in the end depending only on himself.

At the end of chapter 16 Jesus encourages them to not fail the test and give into temptation encouraging them to follow His example and serve God instead, being cheerful in doing so. Jesus encourages them by saying that He did it, He won this battle serving and obeying the Father, and, with His help they can do it too. Jesus found peace and joy in living this new and living way. The disciples would lose their way going back to their old lifestyle for a short time following Christ’s death, however, after Jesus’ resurrection Jesus would bring them back on track refocusing them on the things that really matter.

So, what were these things that Jesus was referring to that He had spoken to them that would bring them peace? Abiding in Jesus (Jn. 15) Serve one another (the Last Supper) Love one another as Christ loved them (Jn. 14, this comes with promise of the Holy Spirit) The Holy Spirit (Jn. 16: 7-11, understanding the work and movement of the Holy Spirit and joining Him) Knowing the Father and His love for them (Jn. 16) The first and most important thing was that their joy would be found in their relationship with Jesus and not in the deadness of the routine and things of this world. Jesus in this dialog had given them some practical guidance on successful Christian living.

I Need Thee Every Hour397. I Need Thee Every Hour

Text: Annie S. Hawks, 1835-1918
Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Tune: NEED, Meter: 64.64 with Refrain

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1.      I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

        no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

Refrain:

        I need thee, O I need thee;

        every hour I need thee;

        O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

 

 

2.      I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;

        temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

        (Refrain)

 

3.      I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;

        come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

        (Refrain)

 

4.      I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;

        and thy rich promises in me fulfill.

        (Refrain)

 

5.      I need thee every hour, most Holy One;

        O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son.

        (Refrain)  

In John chapter 17 we will see an intimate and real dialog between Jesus and the Father giving us an example and idea of what a relationship with the Father should be like.