CHAPTER 16

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Jesus had said in Chapter 15:20 that those who persecuted Him would also persecute the disciples.
They did.
To name a few: Stephen was stoned, James was beheaded, John was boiled in oil (and when that didn't work, they exiled him to a small island for criminals), Paul was beheaded, and Peter was crucified (upside down at his own choice, because he said he was not worthy to be crucified like his LORD).

And it hasn't stopped!
Two churches were bombed during Christmas Day services last year (2011) and 35 people were killed.
In many countries across the world, Christians were abducted, tortured and killed last year.

But Jesus says (verse 1 above) we should not be "offended" at this!
skandalizo is the Greek word from which "offended" is translated. That word also means "stumble," or be entrapped.

In other words, what Jesus is saying is "Don't STOP being who you are!"
It is NORMAL for the world to persecute a genuine Christian!
It's GONNA happen!
Be READY!!
And KEEP GOING!

The REASON the world persecutes Christians is because they "have not known the Father" or Jesus!

Lots of people believe the "road to heaven" is DOWNhill and PAVED!
It AIN'T!!
That road is rocky, winding and all UPhill!

However, we must remember: "Greater is He that is IN you, than he that is in the world." (1John 4:4)

Jesus has given us warning, and Jesus has given us tools to use.
The Bible is our guide to reason and decision making.
The Holy Spirit is our inspiration and comfort.
Fellow Christians are our encouragers and supporters.
Daily prayer feeds us power.
((See also ...John 14:25-26))

Don't "stumble" just because you have a difficult time!

5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus was telling them that He was leaving, but none of them were asking "Where are You going?"
Just thinking about Him being gone from them, their hearts were filled with grief!
That grief had overcome their thinking.

But Jesus consoled them with the fact that when He went, God's Holy Spirit would ALWAYS be with them!!

Here is the strength of the believer!
Though Jesus may not be personally with us, His Holy Spirit IS!
He comforts us in our difficulties.
He teaches us when we study the Bible.
He encourages us when we are dismayed.
He inspires us when we are apathetic.
He reminds us when we need it most.

His PRESENCE is MIGHTY in us!

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

God's Holy Spirit not only works in believers, He works on unbelievers!

He REPROVES!
The Greek word from which that is translated is elegcho.
It means convict, convince, or expose a fault.

God's Holy Spirit CONVICTS people of sin.
He CONVINCES them that Jesus is God and Savior.
And, He COMPELS them to make a decision: whether to surrender to Jesus as Lord.

God's Holy Spirit also convinces the world of Jesus' righteousness.
He DID die on the cross!
He WAS placed in a tomb!
He DID rise from the grave!
And, He DID ascend into heaven!
ALL of that was, and is, true by the WORD of God.
THEREFORE, it is true that Jesus WILL BE COMING BACK AGAIN -- SOON!

And, that also means there IS a "judgment day" coming to ALL mankind!!

The "prince of this world" (Satan) has ALREADY been judged, found guilty and condemned to eternal hell.
Jesus delivered the "death blow" to Satan (See Gen. 3:15).

Have you ever seen a snake when his head is chopped off?
The body keeps writhing!
That's what Satan is doing today.
He's writhing around and trying to drag others into hell with him!

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus could have divinely revealed many more things concerning the future of the disciples and the development of Christianity.
He could have revealed the abolition of the Jewish priesthood, and the abolition of the sacrifices.
He could have revealed the destruction of the temple, and the spread of Christianity.
But they were not yet ready for those revelations.

They yet had to see Him crucified, buried, resurrected and ascending to heaven in the Shekinah glory cloud!
They yet had to receive the fullness of His Holy Spirit to "guide" them into "all truth."

When believers surrender to Christ, they receive the "gift" of God's Holy Spirit. (See Acts 2:38)

The ministry of God's Holy Spirit is to "guide" believers.
He glorifies Christ, convicts of sin, convinces of Christ as Lord and Savior, calls people to Jesus for salvation, compels believers to grow and become useful in the ministry of Christ on this earth, consoles and comforts, gives guidance and direction, and much much more.

No work in the ministry of Christ can come to fruition without the accompaniment of God's Holy Spirit!
For He "receive(s)" FROM Christ, and "shew(s)" believers what to do.
Phil 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus has "ALL things" from the Father.
Jesus has authority over ALL things from the Father (See Matthew 28:18)

God's Holy Spirit is sent by the authority of Jesus to execute the will of God in mankind.
He is also sent specifically to Christians to help them in every area of their work for Christ.

16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you,

The disciples were confused about the manner in which Jesus was speaking.
He had already told them that He would be crucified, die, be buried and would be resurrected.
The disciples were concerned about the statement "A little while."

With only a few hours left before His "passion," Jesus was preparing them for the difficulty by pointing to the joy of seeing him again.
Soon, He would be forcefully arrested, placed through an illegal trial, beaten, and crucified.
Then, He would be buried.
And for "A little while," they would not be able to see Him.

But then, Jesus would be resurrected, and the joy they would experience through seeing Him again, would be so great it could NEVER be extinguished!

By His resurrection, Jesus proved that all the prophecies about Him were true!
He also proved the truth of all He had taught and preached.
He physically paid the price for man's atonement.
He accomplished the purpose for which He came, and opened the gates of heaven to ALL mankind.
He proved God's power over death.
He also proved He is the "holder" of LIFE, and can give eternal life to all who surrender to Him.

Jesus prepared their hearts for the FUTURE.
They would have to endure and night and day of torturous "sorrow"!
But, when they saw Him again, their JOY would be inextinguishable!!

And THAT'S how they were able to preach with such vigor after His ascension.
" And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: ... !" (Acts 4:33)

The power of their preaching was not in the animated manner in which they spoke.
Neither was that power in the eloquence with which they spoke.
The power was of God's Holy Spirit accompanying both the JOY and the TRUTH of which they spoke!

Christians have the same joy and truth today!
I may not see Jesus physically today.
But I'm assured, by His Biblical truth, and by conviction of His Holy Spirit, that I WILL see Him in
"A little while!!"
And that gives me great JOY!

And THAT is a joy "no man taketh from you!"

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus is the "ANOINTED ONE!"
He, and He alone ushered the salvation of God into this world.

Jesus is also the "SENDING ONE!"
He sends God's Holy Spirit into believers. ( Ephesians 1:13)

Then, by God's Holy Spirit, prayers are conveyed to God "in Jesus' Name."
And, by His Holy Spirit, answers are sent to believers.

When a Christian asks of God in Jesus' Name, then receives answer, there is GREAT JOY!
It's a joy that is "full" and running over!
And, THAT'S why Christians enjoy SHARING Jesus with others!

25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

The "proverb" was either a story or a simple statement which conveyed wisdom and truth.
They were usually based on experience or common sense.

Jesus had been questioned by the disciples about speaking to the people in proverbs.
(See Matthew 13:10)
Proverbs are for THINKERS.
Soon, these thinking disciples (with their minds focused upon Jesus) would no longer be able to see Him and be privy to His teaching.

However, Jesus will STILL be able to "shew" them "plainly of the Father."
And, that will be one part of the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to them.

When a Christian asks for understanding and wisdom, believing in Jesus, then God "loves" them and honors their request.

May I say again, Jesus was preparing the disciples.
When He would ascend to heaven, and they would see Him no more, they would still have answers from God!

29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Now, the disciples say they understand.
They also stated belief that Jesus came from God.

How long would that last?
Jesus told them they would be "scattered," and every man would leave Him alone.
Of course He also told them He was NEVER alone, because the Father is WITH Him.

In only a short time, the disciples would flee.
It was not because they didn't understand that Jesus was come out of God.
It was because they didn't comprehend WHY God should allow Himself to be CRUCIFIED!

Later, they would understand that too, by the revelation from God's Holy Spirit.
Peter would later preach that Jesus was "..delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.." (Acts 2:23)
It was God's predetermined plan that ONLY God could pay God for man's sin!!

Now, Jesus gives them a word of caution.
In the world they will have "tribulation."
But in JESUS they have "peace."

And that's because Jesus has OVERCOME the world!!
He overcame sins temptations, non-understanding leaders, slow to understand disciples, a traitor, an illegal trial, and even death!

The peace Jesus gives ALWAYS outweighs the trouble of the world!