16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Today's study is in a little different format, however, I wanted to get back to writing. It's a passion I have and will be continuing, so thank you for bearing with me with this brief transition.
Jesus is clearly trying to point out a clear distinction between the disciples and the world. I hear people with the same frustrations, "I can't tell what voice is in my head. Is it God, is it Satan or is it myself?" God is clearly pointing out that there is a definite line and distinction between God's word and the world's voice. Satan is tricky, he can twist the word, that is why God continually tells you that he is sending God's Spirit to live in you, as God's Spirit, as you remember, convicts of sin, of God's righteousness, and judgment. It provides you that still small voice that says move, stay, or wait.
We are so free! God has made access through Jesus to go directly to him! In the old days, you would have to go to the Priest to talk to God. You had no access to the Father. Jesus changed all that. You can be sitting on a deserted island without a Priest or Church for miles and confess your sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness and to live in your heart and he will! There is no waiting or sacrificing or anything of the sort...it's all about your relationship with Christ!
I love how the disciples were so convinced that Jesus was God...they boast confidence in him and everlasting faithfulness. (Plot spoiler if you haven't read the entire book) Jesus tells them that they are going to scatter as soon as he is dead....and they do! Why did this happen? Is it because they lost their faith, or they were hypocrites, or they were fake? No....they were on their own without the aid of the GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT or Jesus. We are very weak on our own. We always think if we could do better, or be better or act better...or had enough will power...but the problem with that, is just like the disciples... that thought pattern puts all the pressure on your weak flesh...and we just can't do it! What we need is the Holy Spirit...than we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
So next time you are feeling confident in your abilities and they fail you...don't get discouraged...we are all built to have the driver of our vehicles be the Holy Spirit... if he's not in control, we look like 2 year olds on bicycles without training wheels.
and don't worry...Jesus has your back!
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Today's study is in a little different format, however, I wanted to get back to writing. It's a passion I have and will be continuing, so thank you for bearing with me with this brief transition.
Jesus is clearly trying to point out a clear distinction between the disciples and the world. I hear people with the same frustrations, "I can't tell what voice is in my head. Is it God, is it Satan or is it myself?" God is clearly pointing out that there is a definite line and distinction between God's word and the world's voice. Satan is tricky, he can twist the word, that is why God continually tells you that he is sending God's Spirit to live in you, as God's Spirit, as you remember, convicts of sin, of God's righteousness, and judgment. It provides you that still small voice that says move, stay, or wait.
We are so free! God has made access through Jesus to go directly to him! In the old days, you would have to go to the Priest to talk to God. You had no access to the Father. Jesus changed all that. You can be sitting on a deserted island without a Priest or Church for miles and confess your sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness and to live in your heart and he will! There is no waiting or sacrificing or anything of the sort...it's all about your relationship with Christ!
I love how the disciples were so convinced that Jesus was God...they boast confidence in him and everlasting faithfulness. (Plot spoiler if you haven't read the entire book) Jesus tells them that they are going to scatter as soon as he is dead....and they do! Why did this happen? Is it because they lost their faith, or they were hypocrites, or they were fake? No....they were on their own without the aid of the GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT or Jesus. We are very weak on our own. We always think if we could do better, or be better or act better...or had enough will power...but the problem with that, is just like the disciples... that thought pattern puts all the pressure on your weak flesh...and we just can't do it! What we need is the Holy Spirit...than we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
So next time you are feeling confident in your abilities and they fail you...don't get discouraged...we are all built to have the driver of our vehicles be the Holy Spirit... if he's not in control, we look like 2 year olds on bicycles without training wheels.
and don't worry...Jesus has your back!
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