Day 24 – John 16:28-33

Read John 16:28-33

V28: Jesus came to this world from the Father, with whom He had been One from all eternity (John 1:1-2) In the wonder of gospel grace, God sent His Son, eternally one with Him, to be the redeemer of sinners like us. ( John 3:16) Now it is His hour to leave this world and return to the Father ( see ch13 v1 ) but this will be by His death on the cross – the purpose for which God sent Him.

V29-30: The disciples say they understand now ; they believe, they say, because He has shown His knowledge of God’s purposes – but how far they really are from understanding. The arrest and sufferings of Jesus will be devastating for them, despite all He has said. Do we sometimes think we understand, when in fact we are resisting rather than receiving the truth of God’s Word?

V31-32: Jesus tells them plainly that far from understanding, when He is arrested they will all leave Him and flee in fear of their own lives. They would leave Him alone, for all their confidence they will not do so. (most familiarly, Simon Peter – John 13:36-37, but see also Matthew 26:35) Yet He will not be alone, His Father is always with Him – until that awful moment of devastation on the cross – Mark 15:34. What a wonder and mystery is here – The Son knows the agony of separation from The Father, with whom He is eternally One, as He bears our sins.

V33: His Word to them is the source of peace, a peace beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:7) Do we know that peace, whatever our outward circumstances, in and through Christ? We may be far from earthly peace – Jesus tells them plainly, they will know trouble and trials – Christ’s people in the world that hates Him, and therefore them – (John 15:18.) but they can know His peace in the midst of it all, for He has won the victory, ultimately and eternally, and He brings His people in to that victory and gives it to them (1 Corinthians 15:57) Do we know the peace and the victory of this verse, through our Saviour’s redeeming death for us?