Daily Devotions
John
John 16 : 1 - 15 "A PUZZLING STATEMENT"
Day 235 – John 16
A PUZZLING STATEMENT
As we read the Gospel of John carefully, we begin to realize that the teachings of Jesus were really profound. He may have used simple language, but the thoughts contained therein are anything but simple! Sometimes, Jesus spoke puzzling statements. Consider this text.
“But now I go away to Him who sent Me,
and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
But because I have said these things to you,
sorrow has filled your heart.”
John 16:5-6
This text seems quite puzzling when we compare it with what He said to His Disciples earlier.
“Let not your heart be troubled…
I go to prepare a place for you…
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.
And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
John 14:1, 2b, 3-4
NO CONTRADICTIONS WHATSOEVER!
The two statements can be reconciled! Jesus did not contradict Himself at all. Let us look at how we can harmonize the two statements of Jesus. Let us consider two observations.
1. It was Jesus and not the Disciples who initiated the Discussion
In the text of John 14, Jesus was the One who brought up the subject of His departure from the earth. Thus it was not incorrect that Jesus should say what He did, “None of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ “
The Disciples responded and interacted with Jesus (John 14). It was true that none asked Jesus more about what He meant whenever He brought up the question of His death. They were essentially afraid of any thought that leaned towards the subject of the demise of their beloved Teacher.
2. A ‘Summary’ Statement
The John 16 text nay be said to be a kind of summary statement from Jesus. He was looking back what He had taught His Disciples earlier (John 14). His summary statement however was differently phrased from the text found in John 14. This kind of statement is usually restated differently. The restatement allowed Jesus to bring up a new related subject! This was exactly what happened. Jesus went on to bring up the important topic of the Holy Spirit and His ministry.
NECESSARY FOR JESUS TO “GO AWAY”
The word “death” was described euphemistically in this text. This does not mean that Jesus was afraid to use the word “death”. It is interesting to note how Jesus described His death.
“But now I go away to Him who sent Me…”
John 16:5
Jesus was so unafraid of death that He used the language of a person going away on a journey. He knew where He was going. He knew whom He would see at the end of His journey! There was quiet joy in His heart as He spoke about going to His Father who had sent Him to earth on a vital mission!
There was no need for the Disciples to feel so sad. It seemed as if Jesus had unloaded a lot of heavy and sad teachings on the shoulders of the Disciples. First, there was His Word about going away. Then there was the threat of being persecuted. How could the Disciples bear all these things?
Jesus assured His Disciples that they would be able to bear all things! His confidence lay in the reasons that He had already given to His followers. It was now timely to remind them of what He had said earlier. It was also good to give them further insights concerning the Holy Spirit and His ministry.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage
that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will
not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
John 16:7
The Disciples had probably not fathomed the whole theological framework that Jesus worked with. There was a Divine order of things that they must try and appreciate. Two important truths may be highlighted.
1. The Ministry of Jesus (Isaiah 42, 52, 53 etc)
a) The prophetic Scriptures foretold of the ministry that Jesus would have on earth.
b) He would come as the Messiah-Shepherd. He would come teaching and preaching the Gospel.
c) The climax of His earthly life and ministry would be His atoning death. The vindication of Jesus was His resurrection!
2. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2; Isaiah 44:3; 61:1-3)
a) He will come only after Jesus had completed His Work.
b) He would carry on where Jesus had left off.
c) His work was to empower the Disciples whom Jesus had taught.
A GREAT CHALLENGE TO UNDERSTAND THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The doctrine of the Holy Spirit may not be the simplest teaching to comprehend, but it is not incomprehensible! Few doctrines are as critically important as this teaching. Let us seek a deeper comprehension of this absolutely vital doctrine.