John 16
buy Neurontin cod Bonnie’s Notes on Dave’s Comments — John 16
v. 1 — The warning of the difficult times to come instructs the believer not to be offended personally or to blame God when rejected and persecuted. This is basically a fact. Christ said the world hated Him and it will hate His followers, too.
See 2 Tim. 1:8,15. We are commanded not to be ashamed of the Gospel or offended. You don’t get credit or sympathy for being offended. It’s not a theological problem. Persecutors do so because they do not know God. Things began to change greatly once the persecution came. It served to spread the Gospel throughout the known world.
v. 2 — This type of response has been going on since the beginning of the church. You see it in Paul’s ministry in New Testament times, and in later history up to the present the persecution of the Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindus etc. against Bible believers. They all think they are doing God a service in persecuting others. See also John 5:16-18. There are two main items of offense against the Jews as they see it. Jesus broke the religious rules (traditions of men) and claims He is God in the flesh and the only way to God. The book of John focuses on this theme of Jesus being God in the flesh.
v. 3 — Notice that little word “because.” The Lord tells us the persecution will come and why. Don’t be surprised when lost people act the way they do and as Satan does. They are in sync with Satan and his forces. Behavior is always a question of will. They don’t want to know the truth.
v. 4,5 — Thomas had asked about where Jesus was going earlier, but now they are somber and too quiet in their listening. They are trying to take it all in and understand, but they are confused. Most probably, they are upset (v. 6) and having difficulty processing His words. They don’t want Him to go away and don’t understand why He must.
v. 7-11 — The bad news is that He must go away, but the good news is that the Comforter will come. He helps us, encourages us, teaches us, and is an advocate for us with the Father.
Reprove has the meaning of “convict” or “bring under conviction” or “convince” or “correct.”
The Holy Spirit has two main functions. He is to comfort the believer and to reprove the world of sin. When Dr. Dave is talking to someone, either physically or on the phone, I often pray the Holy Spirit will be working on that person to help them recognize the ring of truth. Why are these three — sin, righteousness, and judgment — listed?
First, the Holy Spirit reproves about sin because of unbelief. He shows the individual that he needs a Saviour. He speaks into the heart of the sinner: you are lost, condemned, you need a Saviour, turn to Christ. There is no other way out if the person chooses not to repent and believe — he’s already condemned and will remain that way.
Second, the Holy Spirit reproves about righteousness because Jesus is with the Father and will be seen no more on the earth until His second coming. Therefore, the Holy Spirit’s work is to do the reproving on the earth. He often uses the example of righteousness that Jesus gave us when He walked the earth. He shows the individual that righteousness is the opposite of sin.
He shows what is right, spiritually, morally, ethically etc. To repent from sin, one must love good. He will use the conscience to tweak the individual. People do know what is right. Ask anyone if murder or rape or theft is wrong and they will agree because of the God given conscience within them.
Third, the Holy Spirit will reprove about judgment. The prince of this world is Satan. The Holy Spirit will lay a sense of judgment on people. Satan has already been judged and will be sent to the lake of fire (hell). This place was made for Satan and his rebellious angels (making a case for the reasonableness of hell and judgment). If an individual rejects the Gospel, he/she will share the same fate. There are only two teams — God and Satan, Heaven and Hell.
Though the disciples were sad that Jesus would be leaving them, it was necessary and good. While on earth, Jesus had taken on a human body. He could only be in one place at a time. In His Spirit, though, He could be with all of the disciples, in all ages, throughout the whole world, because the Spirit is invisible and omnipresent. (These thoughts are from Morris, but not a direct quote).
Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, so the unforgivable sin is to reject Him and His offer of salvation. We are already condemned (see John 3:18). It is sin that separates us from God. The decision the unbeliever can make is to get out from under that condemnation by repenting and turning in faith to Christ. The Holy Spirit has a ministry to the ungodly in the world to convict them of their sin. Those who witness, need to focus on communicating the need for a Saviour and the vital need for believing on Jesus. To those who remain unforgiven, judgment and condemnation will be their future for having rejected Christ’s righteousness.
v. 12 — Jesus gives a hint that there will be much more for Him to say, but not now. The New Testament will contain His words.
v. 13 — When it is time to write down the New Testament, the Holy Spirit will guide them and help them to remember what the Lord wants recorded. He gives them the words and they are the pen to get it down on paper. More prophecy will be coming as well.
v. 14 — The Son glorifies the Father, the Holy Spirit glorifies the Son. In fact, in verses 12-14, we see order in the Trinity — the Father speaks to the Spirit who speaks not of Himself, but who glorifies the Son. Then the Holy Spirit helps people to understand the truth.
v. 15 — All things worth having are spiritual things. They are available to all that seek them.
v. 16 — Most commentators get this wrong. It’s not the burial and resurrection that He is talking about. A little while to Christ can easily be a couple of thousand years as shown by other verses. It may seem like a long time to people like us due to our short life spans. The Lord is outside of time. It’s important to recognize this as long range prophecy.
v. 17-19 — These words are the disciples talking among themselves and puzzling over what He has said. The Lord knows they are lacking understanding and begins to enlighten them more.
v. 20 — The normal experience of Christianity down through history has been full of sorrow and persecution. The American experience has been quite different. There was some limited persecution in our history, but it has not matched the norm of the rest of the world where most Christians have suffered and been stressed. The result has been a long time cooling off of spiritual things and a very pervasive and destructive apathy that is difficult to penetrate. The church usually grows and thrives under persecution. That’s why some of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world actually pray for persecution for America so that we will wake up and embrace the Gospel!
Sorenson adds that “the world would rejoice at His death while they [the disciples] grieved. No doubt, Satan, and his minions in the Sanhedrin, and the dens of hell rejoiced and danced with glee as Jesus hung dying upon the cross. But He then declared that His disciples’ sorrow would be turned to joy [when they saw His resurrection].”
Resurrection appearances may have been somewhat confusing to the disciples. He seems to appear and disappear rather than settling down with them as He had before. Jesus was with them for a time, but then He left them and ascended to the Father. In Acts, we see the disciples gather and go into prayer mode waiting for the promised Holy Spirit to arrive.
v. 21 — Take a look at Isaiah 26:16-19. It speaks of the end times and the dead arising. This was fulfilled at Christ’s resurrection and will be completed when He returns and “all that are in the graves. . . shall come forth” (Jo. 5:28-29).
See also Rev. 12:1,2. . . Messiah comes through the Jews and Satan tries to kill Him. Satan has tried to kill the Jewish people throughout their history, first to prevent the incarnation of the Messiah, and since then to prevent His return to save His people and establish His kingdom.
The experience of travail and suffering in birth came as the result of the curse when Eve rejected God’s Word. However, the suffering brings new life into the world. The Lord uses this common experience to explain what God is doing with the whole creation. In the end, delivery will come and things will be put right again.
The women who witnessed the resurrection seemed to have more joy than the men. They were in the moment and more emotionally oriented. Men want the whole plan laid out. They finally get it at the giving of the Great Commission and at Pentecost.
v. 22 — This is more than just the crucifixion. Their whole lives are difficult from this time on. However, the resurrection left them with a joy and power which served them well for the rest of their lives.
v. 23 — The phrase “in that day” is prophetic (referring to the time after His resurrection). They will no longer be able to ask Him questions because He won’t be with them on earth. Then they will use prayer to make requests. Anything is possible through prayer in Jesus name (His authority).
v. 24 — They haven’t been asking questions or making requests because He has been with them. After He is gone, it will be different. Prayer communication will be essential. They will learn the added joy and blessing of answered prayer.
v. 25 — A prophetic pronouncement. Up to this time, Jesus had sometimes taught in a more secretive fashion using symbolism, metaphor, allegory etc. Soon, the time was coming when he would speak directly and plainly. After His resurrection he was much more direct. Parables and symbolism would not be necessary. The Great Commission is very clear and succinct.
v. 26 — The “ask in my name” phrase means with authority; “at that day” is still future. Jesus had been praying for them, but now they will pray and ask for themselves. He will still be mediator even though they will have direct access to God.
v. 27 — The core of knowing God is to know Christ. Note that God loves all, but He reserves special love for those who love His Son and trust Him. They also receive special blessings as they are a part of the family.
v. 28 — He is predicting the ascension.
v. 29,30 — The disciples appear to be feeling pressure to speak in the affirmative, but instead show their lack of understanding and speak poorly. After all they had seen and heard in their three years with the Lord, you would think they would have understood better. (How long does it take for any of us to learn spiritual lessons?) Jesus rebukes them in verse 31 for their unbelief. Too much of their knowledge is head knowledge. What you really believe strongly causes action, not just talk.
v. 32,33 — The Lord leaves them with a prediction and some comfort. Though He is speaking about God being with Him during the next few terrible hours, it is a promise for all believers, too. (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). Before going to prayer, He tells them that He has overcome the world and they should be encouraged by that.
~~~Bonnie