Scripture: “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 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 16:25-33 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, clouded by expectations, the disciples continue to wrestle with what Jesus means by leaving and returning. Jesus does not directly answer their question. Instead, he informs them that they will grieve while the world rejoices. Still, when Jesus returns, his presence will bring them such joy that they will no longer ruminate on their suffering—just as when a woman gives birth to a child. And no one will rob them of this sustaining joy, for there will be no more confusion that spurs questions for Jesus. Moreover, they will have a hotline to the Father, who will grant them whatever they ask when invoking his Son’s name. Lastly, noting the disciples have not petitioned him for specific needs, Jesus invites them to start the process so that their “joy may be full.”
Today’s reading concludes Jesus’ discourse with his disciples, preparing them for his soon departure. He alludes to the near future when he will speak candidly to them about his Father. With this in mind, Jesus again encourages his disciples to ask his Father for what they will need in his name and assures them he will intercede on their behalf to his Father. Jesus then reiterates the confluence of intimate love between him, his Father, and his disciples, for the disciples are conjoined to the Triune God by faith in Jesus as the Son of God who came into the world. Soon, however, Jesus will return to his Father.
Expressing their revelatory understanding of Jesus’ declarations, the disciples exclaim Jesus knows all things, and thus, they believe he comes from God. Unflattered, Jesus questions how these last few minutes of conversation would spark their belief. Not waiting for a reply, he warns them that the hour is coming (referring to his arrest) when they will abandon him and run for their lives. Still, Jesus will not be alone, for his Father remains with him. Jesus then explains that he has foretold what will unfold (from his arrest to ascension) so they will have peace (resulting from knowing his words are trustworthy). Finally, Jesus reminds them that, being in the world, they will have tribulation, but they are to take heart because he has overcome the world.
Takeaway: Jesus reminds his disciples to pray to the Father in his name throughout this last discourse (14:13–14, 26; 16:23–24, 26). As discussed in previous Daily Focus devotions, to pray “in my name” implies according to the Father and Son’s wills. Additionally, this invocation reveals Jesus’ intimate relationship with and sponsorship of his disciples that merits the Father’s favor. And their faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the basis for this secure and blessed relationship. Still, the disciples’ faith will need strengthening throughout their lives, beginning with the ensuing crisis: Jesus’ arrest.
Thankfully, Jesus knew what lay ahead regarding his disciples’ immature faith. Indeed, Jesus called out Peter hours earlier for his naive enthusiasm, which spurred Peter to declare his loyalty to Jesus even to death (13:37). So while Jesus did not entrust himself to the disciples or any of humankind (2:24-25), he knew he could count on his Father to strengthen and care for him beyond the grave. Thus, in this moment of looming darkness, Jesus focused not on his fate but on that of his disciples. Reminding them that they will face trials and suffering, Jesus reiterates that he will instill his peace in them (14:27) and exhorts them to take heart, for their Master has overcome the world.
Our takeaway? Jesus extends this same promise to us: to instill his peace, his shalom blessings, in us even when all hell is breaking loose around us. What’s our part? Like the disciples, we must believe that he came from the Father and has returned to his rightful place of honor in the heavenly realm, where he exercises dominion over the world he has overcome (Philippians 2:8-11).
Okay, but how do we appropriate his supernatural peace in anxiety-producing crises? We practice in small ways throughout our day by turning our thoughts and affections toward Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), trusting in his promises revealed in Scripture over the fleeting pleasures of this world. With this foundation, we attune ourselves to the provocations of the Holy Spirit as he whispers to our minds and emotions, exposing our anxious thoughts and reminding us of the bigger picture: Christ, who has overcome the world, loves us (13:34) and has prepared a place for us in eternity (14:2), where there is no more suffering and sorrow (Revelation 21:4). And when we appropriate his peace, we, too, will overcome the world.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son who has overcome the world and now resides in your heavenly realm, exercising dominion over all creation. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who guides our thoughts and feelings, provoking us to recognize our anxious thoughts and exchange them for your Son’s supernatural peace. Still, we struggle to cooperate with your Holy Spirit consistently. So would you please help us to reflect daily on your Son’s love for us, his promises, and his dominion over evil so we, too, might overcome the world? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply