Day 18 – John 15:22-27

Read John 15:22-27.

V22: It is the Word of God, the word which in its fullness Jesus brought and declared, which convicts of sin. In ch16 we will see Jesus saying this is part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry (16:8-9). Again, we are shown the Oneness of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus does not, of course mean that people were not guilty of sin before He came, but they could evade and deny their sin. But the truth in Christ leaves no such evasion possible.

V23: Only in and through Jesus Christ can anyone truly know God. (ch 14:6 ) So, anyone who does not know and love Jesus as Saviour and Lord is outside of God’s love, and not to love Jesus is in the absolute sense to hate Him, and His Father too. (“I and my Father are One “) (John 10:30)

V24: The rejection of Jesus – God with us (Matthew 1 v23) – His unique life, ministry and works – shows their rejection of God for what it is, and leaves no cloak for their sin.

V25: There are 2 OT verses which are echoed here – Psalm 38:19 and 69:4. All that happened to Jesus, all His sufferings and rejection, was in God’s purpose of redeeming grace, and foretold in His Word. -“Their Law”, which the enemies of Jesus profess to revere and uphold!

V26: Again, He points them to the coming of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, who will bear witness to Jesus, not only in His ministry to and through these first disciples, but in the Scripture, which He opens eyes and hearts to receive and understand and through which He convicts the hearts of men. Note again, Father Son and Holy Spirit all in union in this, as in all things.

V27: And these disciples who have been with Jesus throughout His ministry, heard His teaching, seen His works, and know Him as Saviour and Lord, will also bear witness. The book of Acts records something of their witness, but the witness goes on through Christ’s people in every generation, and into all the world – Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8.