John 16: Days 35-36

—John Chapter 16—

Memory Verse:These things I have spoken to you, 

that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33)

In chapter 16, Jesus concludes His final teachings and touches on all of these things. He primarily focuses on His “going” and the Holy Spirit’s “coming.”

This is a good time to remember why Jesus came in the first place and why John wrote this gospel: “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)

Jesus strikes a recurring theme: this world has trouble but He has overcome the world. The last 2,000 years of history has shown that Jews persecuted the Christians in the name of religion, then the Romans persecuted the Christians in the name of religion, then Muslims persecuted the Christians, and Christians persecuted the Muslims, Catholics persecuted the Protestants and then Protestants persecuted other Protestants. Now in the 21^st century, what dominates the news? Persecution by those who think they are doing God’s work.

The solution is found in Christ, that our joy is found in Him and not in the world. 

Day 35: Morning

 “I go away”

(Read John 16:1–6, 16–28)

For months, Jesus had talked about going away and now His hour had come. John 16:5 says, “now…none of you asks Me, ‘Where are you going?’” They had stopped asking because they finally understood He was speaking of His death. Review some passages where Jesus had talked about His departure:

Jesus therefore said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.                                                                     

John 7:33

“I go away…where I am going, you cannot come.” Therefore the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He…?” 

John 8:21–22

“Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You shall seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you also, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

John 13:33

“And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

John 14:5, 6

“You heard Me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.”

John 14:28

The disciples who had listened to statements like these for years finally realized He was not speaking figuratively. He was not going to the Gentiles. He was not going to usher in His kingdom by force. He was going to die. As that truth sinks in, sorrow fills their hearts (verse 6).

The disciples were confused with Jesus’ “a little while…” statements (16:17). All they knew is that weeks earlier, they saw Jesus raise a dead man from the grave and only days prior, throngs of people ushered Him into Jerusalem like a King! Seeing their confusion, Jesus plainly told them that their sorrow will turn to joy (16:20).

There will be times as a Christian in which you will be confused and question God. John 16:19 says, “Jesus knew they desired to ask Him…” Ask God to clear it up for you. Study the Bible. Listen to sermons. Make sure the answers are based on God’s word. If you can’t find answers based on God’s Word, keep asking until someone can give you a solidly Biblical answer.

Pray this prayer to God: “Jesus, I come to You with my problems, my questions, my confusion and my sorrow. Thank You that You are with me always. Help me make it through all my ‘little while’ times. Amen.”

Day 35: Evening

The Holy Spirit Revealed In The Godhead

(Read John 16:7–15)

In the section “Love revealed in the Holy Spirit” (Day 31: Evening), we saw seven things the Holy Spirit does. The following is an overview of who the Holy Spirit is.

The Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is a Person in the Triune Godhead: thoroughly unified as God, but three separate and distinct manifestations. The one true God relates with His creation in three expressions, as Father, as Son, and as Holy Spirit.

God the Father is above and beyond all things and is invisible and unseen by humans (No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him, John 1:18). When God is “seen” by humanity, it is not God in totality but only a manifestation of the unseen infinite God.

God the Son is the expression of God physically (He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation Col. 1:15; God … has in these last days spoken to us by His Son … who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…purged our sins Heb. 1:1–3). He has always existed (… Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men Phil. 2:5–7).

God the Holy Spirit relates to us spiritually. He is the same Spirit within the Father and the Son (And if Christ is in you, … the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He … will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you Rom. 8:10–11). He always existed (How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb. 9:14). He is in all believers permanently (And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him John 14:16, 23) God’s Holy Spirit interacts with non-believers (John 16:9), with the Father and Son (John 16:10) and with Satan (John 16:11). The Holy Spirit is a Person. Jesus says “I will send Him” (16:7). He does not say, “I will send It.”

Pray this prayer to God: “Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. I want to be so saturated and immersed in Your Spirit that we walk as one. In the Name of Him who sent the Spirit into all believers I pray. Amen.”

Day 36: Morning

We May Be Lonely…

(Assorted passages, based on John 16:6–15)

The Holy Spirit baptizes believers at salvation. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an immersion of the Holy Spirit within us (for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now Acts 1:5). It occurs at salvation when we ask God to cleanse us by the resurrection of Christ (Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 3:21, NASB).

He gives assurance of our salvation. (The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God Rom. 8:16).

He seals believers until our redemption. (And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30--see 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13).

He fills believers. When we submit to God, the Holy Spirit manifests Himself. We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), so it is an act of obedience. Not all believers are “full of the Holy Spirit.” (“Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” Acts 6:3)

He lives in believers. God’s personally resides in believers. (Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor. 3:16) We are possessed by the Spirit. (Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Cor. 6:19)

He gives spiritual gifts. Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 describe “spiritual gifts,” which build up believers (But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 1 Cor. 12:7. Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 1 Cor. 14:12)

He imparts spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

He teaches believers. The Spirit teaches us (Luke 12:12; John 14:26), not by human wisdom (1 Cor. 2:13). Teaching is one of the gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:28).

He empowers believers. Jesus said the Holy Spirit impart power on the disciples (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

Pray this prayer to God: “Make me a witness, Heavenly Father, and not only a witness but a good witness of what You have done for me. Help me to tell others of Your saving love for us. As You sent Jesus, so send me. Amen.”

Day 36: Evening

… With God’s Holy Spirit, We Are Never Alone

(Read John 16:23–33)

There is so much more to say about the Holy Spirit, but many a preacher would be wise to learn the lesson from Christ Himself, who said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)

Jesus said one day, the disciples will no longer ask Him questions, and all God’s people said, “What a day that will be!” Until then, we can ask questions of Christ and we can ask in the name of Jesus and we will receive so that our joy will be full.

Questions are not doubts, but rather ways we learn more about God. If you have ever met an inquisitive child, you can bet your bottom dollar that child is intelligent. If you are a part of the “we’ve got questions” club, rest assured that you are not the first who has pondered any particular question and somewhere in the history of Christianity, your question has been answered. The answer may not be to a skeptic’s satisfaction, but that is what theology and Biblical scholarship is all about.

In fact, there is an entire field of study called “apologetics” which comes from the Greek word which means “defense.” 1 Pet. 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you….”

I taught a class on apologetics for a year to high school students. I now regularly lead groups to a conference, cleverly called an [un]apologetics conference. We are unapologetic in our faith, but we are ready to defend it. There are apologetic Bibles, books, and resources which reaffirm that we do not have to commit “intellectual suicide” in order to believe in God.

But the best defense we have for our faith may not convince a single person but it reassures me more than any argument. It is summed up in a hymn, “You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.”

As Jesus concludes, the disciples think they understand what the Master is saying (29–30). Jesus questions them about whether they now believe, predicting that all would leave Him, except for His Heavenly Father. There are times as believers we may be lonely, but we are never alone. God is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

Pray this prayer to God: “Thank You God for Your Holy Spirit that dwells permanently in me. Help me to understand You as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Give me peace in my tribulations. Thank You that no matter what, I am never alone. Amen.”