Ep. 120: Your Grief turning to Joy
CLICK HERE for the corresponding blog post in Yeshua Adored
JOHN 16
The last of the parting teaching of Jesus, in John 16, was interrupted by questions from the disciples. In general, the subjects treated in it are; the new relationship arising from the departure of Jesus and the coming of the other Advocate. The chapter appropriately opens by reflecting on the predicted enmity of the world. Jesus had so clearly foretold this in case it should prove a stumbling block to them. They needed to know that they would not only be put out of the synagogue but that everyone who killed them would deem it ‘to offer a religious service to God.’
Although they had in a general way been prepared for it before. He had not told it all so definitely from the beginning, because he was still there. But now that he was going away, it was absolutely necessary to do so. But the advent of the ‘Advocate’ would mark a new era, as regarded the Church and the World. It was their mission to go forth into the World and to preach Christ. That other Advocate would go into the World and convict on the three cardinal points on which their preaching turned; Sin, Righteousness and Judgment. And on these would the New Advocate convict the World.
Taking then the three great facts in the history of Christ; his First Coming to salvation, his Resurrection and Ascension and his sitting at the right hand of God, of which his Second Coming to Judgment is the final issue. The Advocate of Christ will in each case convict the World of guilt. A whole new order of things was before the Apostles; the abolition of the old ways, the establishment of the Christian dispensation and the relation of the New to the Old, together with many similar questions. As Christ’s representative and speaking not from himself, the Holy Spirit would be with them, to guide them so they didn’t stray into error and to be their leader into all truth.
Up until then, they had not yet asked in his Name. Now let them ask! They would receive and so their joy be completed. Beforehand he had only been able to speak to them in parables and allegory, but then would he ‘declare’ to them in all plainness about the Father. And, as he would be able to speak to them directly and plainly about the Father, so would they then be able to speak directly to the Father. They would ask directly in the Name of Christ; and no longer would it be needful, as at present, first to come to him that he may ‘inquire’ of the Father ‘about’ them. For God loved them as lovers of Christ and as recognising that he had come forth from God.
Edersheim adds:
‘Yet, even so, his latest as his first thought was of them; and through the night of scattering and of sorrow did he bid them look to the morning of joy. For, the battle was not theirs, nor yet the victory doubtful. We now enter most reverently what may be called the innermost sanctuary. For the first time we are allowed to listen to what was really ‘the Lord’s Prayer’ and, as we hear, we humbly worship. That Prayer was the great preparation for his Agony, Cross, and Passion; and, also, the outlook on the Crown beyond.’
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)