Day 86, John 16
John continues to unpack the final interactions between Jesus and the disciples, with much to impact our lives.
It is inevitable that rejection and suffering will be the experience of those who follow Jesus, because He is overcoming a world system that is opposed to God. Until God recreates the heavens and the earth (which John describes in Revelation 21) there will be conflict and warfare between the fallen and the redeemed.
Interestingly, this is not a prospect which will lead to fear, confusion or doubt (at least as Jesus describes it) because He will send His Holy Spirit to us.
Additionally, all that Jesus says here describes events which are about to happen (i.e. they are all in the past when John records them). EVERYTHING is changed by the coming death and resurrection of Jesus. Holy Spirit continues to reveal God’s heart to us, we are constantly loved by the Father, and this world is already overcome for all who rest in Jesus’ victory. So fear is a natural human emotion, yet it is not one that fits the truth of our condition if we are in Christ.
Later, the Apostle Paul will write “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain,” and that is as true for you and me as it was for him.
Have a great day!
Mark.