In The Word
Read: John 16:16-33
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Foretold
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. 21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.22 Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
Prayer Promises
23 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples *said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Jesus makes many wonderful and powerful declarations about our new life in Him. He says our joy will be made unbreakable. He states we will have the privilege of asking the Father for anything directly, without a mediator. It is amazing to think that the Father loves us so much that He allows us to approach His throne boldly (Hebrews 4:16) and request anything from Him so that our joy can be made complete. The promises and love of God are beyond belief! Some have called it the “Scandal of Grace” for such purity to love such depravity. Nevertheless, He does cherish each of His children and we are honored to be counted among them.
Jesus also makes some rather startling promises of a less than enticing nature. First, He promises trials and hardships as we contend with the world. Next, He assures us of persecution as we stand against religiosity that hopes to rob true believers of the inherent power and worth given to us from the Almighty. Then, He makes a stunning statement of confidence and reassurance for our benefit, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
We should pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see this world as it truly is. We can also pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us to take courage and have peace, because our Savior and Friend, Lord Jesus Christ Almighty, has overcome this world and given us the victory in Jesus’ holy name, amen.