John - Week 47

In a Little While 

READ 

John 16:16-18 

16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”  

17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” 

Reading now from the viewpoint of history, it is easier to understand now what Jesus meant. The disciples, however, were confused about what Jesus was saying. There is still some uncertainty about what Jesus meant by “a little while,” but the event nearest at hand was his crucifixion and resurrection, after which they would see Him again. They wanted to ask Jesus what He meant but instead they asked each other what He meant. 

REFLECT 

Have there been times when, instead of going to the Bible to see what Jesus said, you have asked others what they think? Sometimes it is helpful to go to those with more years studying the Bible, but the Bible itself must be the final authority. 

RESPOND 

Adapt your thinking to respond to questions about the Bible and spiritual matters. Answer by saying something like, “I’m not sure where it teaches that in the Bible.” If the question is something unknowable, you could even answer, “Because the Bible doesn’t say, I don’t think I should either.” Let 1 Timothy 4:7 be your guide. 

From Grief to Joy 

READ 

John 16:19-21 

19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.” 

As the Master Teacher, Jesus could tell the disciples wanted to ask Him what He meant. He told them a time was coming when they would be extremely unhappy. In contrast, the world would be exceedingly happy. That would be followed, however, by a time of “wonderful joy” for the disciples. Jesus used an analogy from everyday life that would help them understand by telling of the joy a mother has after a child is born and the pain is forgotten.  

REFLECT 

Think of times you have thought nothing good could come from an incident, and yet joy came afterwards. Perhaps it was even a death in the family when distant relatives came to recall memories and lift your spirits. 

RESPOND 

Decide now what you can do to help a grieving family. Is there some memory you could share in writing that they could read over and over? If you live close to the family, is there something you see needs done that you could do without even asking? Talk with your disciple and discuss how you both can show the love of Jesus by loving and helping others. 

In Jesus' Name 

READ 

John 16:22-24 

22 “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” 

Notice that even though the disciples were to ask the Father for something, it would be given because they asked in the name of Jesus. It is common to begin prayers addressing the Father and to end prayers with something like, “In Jesus’ name,” and these verses are an indication of doing that. The “name” represents everything that a person is, especially that individual’s authority. It is a reminder of all that Jesus has done for the believer. 

REFLECT 

Think about the way you address the Father in the Son’s name as you pray. It involves more than just words; it includes thinking about all that Jesus has done for you. The miracle He has performed for you is giving you eternal life when you trusted in Him as Savior. 

RESPOND 

Sometimes one does not know what to pray. The need at that time is to read Romans 8:26-30 and thank the Father that the Holy Spirit prays through believers. 

Figures of Speech 

READ 

John 16:25-28 

25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” 

The problem with figures of speech is that they can mean different things to different people. Jesus was aware of this and promised to speak plainly so the disciples would understand. Jesus emphasized that the Father loves them. Sometimes it may be thought that only Jesus loves believers, but Jesus wanted them to know that the Father loves them. The reason the Father loves them is because they love Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus announces He came into the world from God and was now going back to Him.  

REFLECT 

Think about the fact that if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation, not only does Jesus love you but the heavenly Father loves you as well.  

RESPOND 

Focus on verses that may be familiar to you about the extent of God’s love, such as John 3:16 and 1 John 3:1-3. Share these verses with a friend. 

I Have Overcome the World 

READ 

John 16:29-33 

29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” 

31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

REFLECT 

From the plain speech of Jesus, the disciples now clearly understood that Jesus came from God. Jesus has a serious warning for them, however: a time of persecution is coming for them. In spite of this, Jesus wanted them to have peace in Him. The fact that He has overcome the world was to serve as peace to them when trials and sorrows came on them.