< John 16 >

The apostles and the first disciples were put out of the synagogues and some were killed by men who were ignorant of the Father and of Jesus but believed they were doing God’s will, as Jesus declared beforehand vs.1-3.John 16:1-3XWaiting for response He assured them they would be encouraged when this happened by the memory that he had forewarned them of the persecution v.4.John 16:4XWaiting for response

The disciples who would suffer this persecution would be comforted by the Comforter v.7John 16:7XWaiting for response which would reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment vs.8-11.John 16:8-11XWaiting for response The disciples had difficulty understanding his meaning then v.12John 16:12XWaiting for response but when the Spirit came upon them they were guided into all truth and learned of things to come v.13.John 16:13XWaiting for response Only the first disciples had this Spirit of truth which also inspired them to write the New Testament scriptures so that thereby others also could be guided into all truth and learn of things to come in the purpose of God. Who, without the scriptures, can declare God’s truth and foretell the future? None can do so now, and none has done so since the New Testament was completed at the end of the first century.

Jesus told the apostles that in a little while they would not see him, and the world would rejoice but they would sorrow, and then again in a little while they would see him again and their sorrow would be turned into joy vs.16-22.John 16:16-22XWaiting for response Shortly, he would be taken from them and crucified, but after three days he would rise from the dead and be with them again before going to the Father. Their experience would be like a woman going through childbirth, first the pain then the joy v.21,John 16:21XWaiting for response and no-one would be able to take their joy from them v.22.John 16:22XWaiting for response He would then go to heaven and be their mediator at God’s right hand so that their prayers would be favourably received vs.23-28.John 16:23-28XWaiting for response The disciples professed to understand him v.29John 16:29XWaiting for response and expressed their belief in him v.30John 16:30XWaiting for response but Jesus knew that the same night they would scatter and leave him alone to his enemies vs.31-32.John 16:31-32XWaiting for response He would have great tribulation, and they also would suffer tribulation in the world but with the consolation that Jesus has overcome the world v.33John 16:33XWaiting for response by his death.