WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS SAYING: Jesus starts by telling them a major transition is coming.
- John 16:16-22.
- There is a lot of uncertainty from the disciples about what Jesus is talking about in these sayings. The meaning is hidden to them.
- Of course, we know that He is referring to His death and resurrection. Despite the many clues that Jesus has laid down for them, they don’t really have an understanding of what is next. We can’t really blame them much, though, because this is such an unbelievable action by Jesus.
- What’s important for us here, though, is not simply that a major event is upcoming, but that this event will be a major transition to a new era of faith.
- As we go through the rest of this sermon, we need grasp that what Jesus is revealing to them is that something new and amazing is about to come.
- Unpack the passage verse by verse to explain it.
WANDERING AROUND AFTER JESUS: Up to this point, they’ve walked behind Jesus like a bunch of clueless kids.
- John 16:23a.
- I don’t want to overstate the cluelessness of the disciples, but we know from the gospels that they were often unaware of the real issues going on, unconnected to Jesus’ vision, and unsuccessful in living out the Kingdom of God. If you’ll allow me, let just say that they looked a lot like a bunch of clueless kids wandering around after Jesus.
- So we have this (perhaps overstated) vision of the disciples as flunkies walking behind Jesus, getting things wrong more often than they got it right. They certainly didn’t look like they were ready for prime time. They looked like a group in need of constant supervision.
- It would be easy (and understandable) to presume that they would not be able to function with any impact without Jesus there. You could well see where they would be perpetually dependent of Jesus for their guidance and supervision.
- But Jesus is about to lay out a far different vision than that.
- This is what I think He’s getting at in v. 23a.
- He’s not saying that He will be completely unconnected to our lives. He’s not saying that He will disappear from relevance to our lives. He’s not saying that He won’t be around anymore.
- No, up to this point, as they’ve wandered the hills and valleys of Palestine, they have asked Jesus everything! What about this? Should we do that? Why is this person that way? What is God doing here? Again and again and again they have focused their words and hearts on Jesus. When they had questions, they literally asked Jesus.
- They did that because:
a. He was right in front of them,
b. because He was training them, and
c. because the new era had not started yet.
- Now, Jesus tells them, you’re not doing to ask Me questions anymore. Why not?
a. Because He will be gone.
- I don’t merely mean during the time between His death and resurrection, but after His ascension. The new era will involve a time when Jesus will not be standing there to answer their questions.
b. Because they will understand the bigger picture of what God’s plan is.
- They are no longer going to have to ask Him to explain what in the world is going on. They will grasp the grand plan that the Father is putting into place through Christ.
- So in both these ways this is true.
JOY WILL BE COMPLETE: We will live in direct relationship to a Father eager to help us as we represent His Son.
- John 16:23b-28.
- Jesus is now going to reveal to them a big piece of this new era. Let’s look at some of the parts of it.
- Significant pieces:
a. v. 23b – Our primary relationship is going to be with the Father.
- Unlike the disciples (as we just discussed) constantly asking Jesus for guidance and direction, we are going to talk to the Father.
- This involves us stepping out and no longer being clueless children. The Father is going to supply our needs and we are going to be the representatives of Jesus out there.
b. v. 23b – The Father is going to be eager to supply us.
- As we go forward to do our mission, the Father will be quick to provide what we need to move forward.
- This is enormously hopeful and encouraging.
- We should have a much higher expectation for God’s provision as we pursue His will.
c. v. 23b – We ask in the name of Jesus.
- Because we are serving in the name of Jesus and representing Jesus, we ask in Jesus’ name. We also do that as a reminder to us where our power comes from.
- Here and in v. 25 we have that phrase that we are to ask “in [Jesus’] name.” It’s something we need to remember as we pray.
d. v. 24 – This is a new opportunity borne by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name.” Because that opportunity wasn’t there. Now it’s going to be available.
e. v. 24 – This will fill us with joy.
- As we experience this new reality, we are going to overflow with joy.
- I’m not going to take the time to look up all the passages, but remember the sermon about the three reasons God is so eager to answer our prayers. This is the passage that points to the fact that our joy is one of the reasons.
f. v. 25 – Jesus is no longer speaking in parables but is speaking in a straightforward way.
g. v. 26 – There is going to be direct connection between us and the Father.
- This, of course, was impossible before but through Jesus it is opened up.
- This is another sense in which we are no longer the clueless kids hanging on Jesus’ coattails as He wanders around. There is a direct relationship.
h. v. 27 – The Father is pleased with our devotion to Christ.
- It gives Him every reason He needs to help us.
i. v. 28 – This was all part of the big plan.
- Jesus came to draw the disciples but now He is going to die and be resurrected, which will open up a new era.
YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE: This striking new reality will not eliminate trouble, but will bring victory.
- John 16:29-33.
- With all the amazing, hopeful truths that Jesus has just shared, it’s necessary to think that the future will be without difficulty. So Jesus concludes this section with some needed, sobering realities.
a. v. 29 – The disciples now get what Jesus is getting at.
- Not fully, but much more than when Jesus was speaking in parables.
b. v. 30 – Seeing this picture more clearly firms up their belief in Jesus.
c. v. 31 – Jesus rejoices in their understanding.
d. v. 32 – But He warns them that all that He has just taught them doesn’t mean that there won’t be hard times.
- This new reality is not absent struggle and difficulties.
e. v. 33 – But there is peace and a confidence in the victory that Jesus is bringing.
