Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Day 19 – John 16:1-6
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Read John 16:1-6
V1: The Lord is concerned to tell them that all that will happen to them is part of God’s purpose, so that it does not make them lose their faith. Nothing is out of God’s hand and purposes. This is true of our experiences too.
V2: These Jewish disciples will face excommunication from the synagogues – devastating for them, but for the awareness of these verses. They will be persecuted even to death, and those who persecute will actually think they are serving God – as did Saul of Tarsus (Acts 26:9.)
V3:But such persecution shows how such “zealous Jews” do not truly know God – neither Father nor Son. Their religion is an outward thing, with no living relationship with the God they profess to serve. This may be true of others, not only the Jews!
V4a: As we say “forewarned is forearmed”.
V4b-5: While Jesus was with them in His earthly ministry, He did not need to tell them these things, but now He prepares them – and each generation of believers – for His return to the Father. Some are puzzled by “None of you asks Me ‘where..?’ after John 14:5, but none have
asked with understanding of what His return to the Father truly means – via the cross of shame.
V6: Their sorrow is focussed on losing His physical presence. They will come to realise He remains with them in His spiritual presence ( Matthew 28:20) – our experience still, if we know the Lord.