John 16 - Part 2

Read John 16

The disciples have to contend with Jesus not using PowerPoint.  They wanted bullets with dates and times and locations.  Jesus gave them words about he is here now but will be gone for a while and then be back.

The disciples remained confused.  Was he just going to the bathroom during the commercials or was he packing for a long trip?

The disciples still didn’t get a PowerPoint slide.  Jesus said that this was the time for anguish.  The world would be celebrating but they would be saddened.  That was not the end of the story.  Their sadness would turn to joy and the sorrow that they knew would be forgotten.

Jesus compared what was to come to childbirth, an experience that these men knew at best second hand, but they knew that women had great pain all the way up to the point where they gave birth.  Then the pain was forgotten and joy filled their lives.

At best, they could relate to the psalmist.  Sorrow may last for the night but joy comes in the morning.  Jesus was once again preparing his disciples for what was ahead.  Jesus was going to the cross, but his concern was these few men would be equipped to take the news of God’s great love to the world.

Now we come to a brief sentence that might answer some questions about all four gospels.  Have you ever wondered if when Jesus said, If your eye offends you, pluck it out, he was speaking literally or in hyperbole?

If you hand offends you, then cut it off.  Now that’s some stuff right there.  Did Jesus want a bunch of one-eyed and one-handed people roaming the world?  Was he speaking figuratively?

The bottom line in both of these examples was true.  Better to get into heaven with just one eye or one hand than not at all, but perhaps we get a little relief from the literal interpretations in this chapter of John’s gospel.

Jesus told his followers that he would not longer use figurative language with them.  He would speak more directly.  So, if he was going to stop using metaphors and hyperbole and the like, that must mean that he did use them at least on occasion.

For those of you who are missing an eye or a hand out of strict compliance, perhaps you should have read all four gospels before amputating.

The parables and metaphors and other figures of speech would make sense when the Sprit came, but for these last few hours, Jesus told his followers that he would be direct with them.

Jesus said that he came from the Father and now was returning to the Father.  The disciples said, now we get it, but Jesus asked, do you really believe?

Do you really believe?

If you do, ask for what you need from the Father in my name.  I’m not asking for you but because you ask in my name, my Father will hear you and give you what you need.

Jesus would pray for his disciples in the chapter to come, but he was preparing them to boldly approach the throne of grace with their requests.

Now we come to the verse that I use time and time again.  It was to prepare the disciples for what was ahead of them.  It is for us today as well.

“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.”

Jesus told his disciples that he was letting them know what would come, not so they could convert their stocks into silver or gold.

Jesus told his disciples that he was letting them know what would come, not so they could avoid conflict as they went into the world.

Jesus told his disciples that he was letting them know what would come, not so they could stock up on toilet paper.

Jesus told his disciples that he was letting them know what would come, so that they might have peace.  In him, they might have peace. They must know that things were not spinning out of control.  These times of trial and testing must come upon the world.  There would be trouble in the world.

You will have trouble in the world, but you can still live in peace.  Peace not dissonance will reign in your life.  Peace not anxiety is your constant condition.   Receive the peace of the Lord.  It’s much better than what the world has to offer. 

But how can we have this peace in the middle of turmoil?  How can we experience troubles that come from living in this world and still have peace?  How is this possible?

Jesus said, take heart—take courage—I have overcome the world.

Satan stands condemned.

Sin and death have lost their sting.

Jesus paid for our every sin.

Nothing can stand between us and God’s love.

Sure, there will be trouble in the world.  We see examples of human depravity every day, but we are to be strong and courageous because Jesus has overcome the world.

Our peace is in him. 

Our life is in our Lord not in the troubles of this world.  We may have peace in the middle of turmoil because of God’s great love for us that we know in Christ Jesus.

My life is in Jesus.

My hope is in Jesus.

My peace is in Jesus.

I will close with some figurative language, at least it’s a Mnemonic that might help remember today’s message.  

No Jesus. No Peace.

Know Jesus.  Know peace.

Remember these words of our Lord.

“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.”

Amen.