John 16:5-15
“But now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. (7) Isaiah 44:3 8 And when he has come, he will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you will see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 Nevertheless, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak by his own authority; but whatsoever he shall hear, this shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (13) Isaiah 44:3 14 He shall glorify me, for he shall receive from me, and show it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are mine. This is why I said that he shall take from me, and show it to you.” (RCR)
Commentary:
In the previous chapter, Jesus has warned His followers that persecution would come after He is gone. The natural response of those who love Him, is sadness. Many of the Jews during this time were expecting the arrival of the Messiah during their lifetime. They did not understand that He would come twice, as the scriptures foretold. They assumed that when the Messiah came to Israel, He would immediately set up His kingdom on earth and subdue all of her enemies. Learning that Jesus was going to be arrested and crucified was a harsh blow to their hopes and dreams of freedom from Rome’s tyranny. Jesus assures His disciples that this was all a part of God’s plan for their nation as well as the whole world. Continue reading “The Ministry of the Holy Spirit”
