John 15-16: Things will happen, but it will be ok!

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 

Read the whole passage: John 15:18-16:33

As we come to today's passage, Jesus rounds off his final teaching session with his disciples.  He has talked about being the only way to God, that he is in God and is God - one with the Father and Holy Spirit.  He has taught his disciples to remain in him and in his love, and now he starts to talk about the things that will be happening next.

There are several sobering things that Jesus tells the disciples:

1)  The world will hate them

We know from reading on into Acts that the disciples faced persecution for their faith.  Wherever we live and whether we face systematic persecution or not, we can expect many to be offended by our faith - even hate us. Jesus tells the disciples: They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God (16:2) - those words did indeed come very true for those to whom they were addressed.

BUT...

The disciples can take courage, and so can we. Firstly, they are warned. It's always easier to deal with things when we know to expect them. Jesus says: "But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you" (16:4).  However, it's more than that. Secondly, Jesus also tells them why: "Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (15:2). If we are in Christ, then we share in his glory, but also his sorrows.

Finally, Jesus promises them help - they will not be alone in facing hatred and persecution, but will have the help of the Holy Spirit: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." (15:26).

2) Jesus is going away

Jesus has already told the disciples that he is going away (hence all the previous questions about where he is going), but now he remarks that: "None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart" (16:5-6). The disciples love and worship Jesus, but still don't truly understand what is going to happen. Jesus is going away, and everything looks bleak.

BUT...

Again, Jesus reassures his disciples.  Firstly, he says: "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." (16:7).  Jesus' death opened the way for Holy Spirit to dwell in hearts of all believers.  

 

And Jesus also tells his disciples that although when he goes away they will be filled with sorrow, that "sorrow will turn to joy" (16:20)!  Like the experience of giving birth to which Jesus compares it, the process of watching him crucified will be extremely painful, but that mourning will turn into rejoicing, as it achieves an eternal glory that far outweighs anything.

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I've often heard it said that having the promises of God is like difference between watching a film for the first time and watching again when you know the ending (providing the ending is happy - of course!)  When you watch a film to which you know the ending, you may still feel all the emotions the story invokes - including sadness, worry or fear - but you know things come right in the end.

Christian living is not entirely the same - we don't know what exactly will happen - but we do know what God has promised and we can live in the light of that.  As he concludes, Jesus says that in him we will have peace.  Why?  Because although the world may give us sorrows and trials, Jesus has overcome the world - he is more powerful than anything else, even death itself.  So take heart - He has overcome the world!