John 16 - Jesus Tranforms
Study Passage: John 16
In John 16, Jesus said, I’ve good news and bad news, which would you like to hear first? Okay. Jesus didn’t really say that. But in this chapter, we read Jesus’ final words to His disciples, and it included both the good and the bad.
Bad news - His disciples would face persecution.
Good news - Jesus would send the Holy Spirit.
More bad news - Jesus would be gone in a little while.
More good news - They would see Jesus again in a little while.
Ultimately it’s more than His disciples could bear and comprehend at this time and Jesus told them their sorrow would transform to joy, “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you” (John 16:22, CSB).
DAY 1- READ AND REFLECT
READ John 16 all the way through. Now read John 16 again — preferably in a different Bible translation to get a clearer perspective of what the passage is saying. Get in the habit of asking good questions and taking notes!
What observations or questions come to mind?
What repetitive words or phrases do you notice?
What words stand out that are worth looking at in different Bible translation?
TIP: Jesus repeatedly reminded His disciples of His purpose in telling them the important messages in His final words. Keep an eye out for the phrase “I have told you…” to capture these key reminders throughout the chapter.
DAY 2 - PERSECUTED FOR FAITH (JOHN 16:1-4)
We wrapped up last week looking back in HISTORY when Jesus cited Psalm 69:4, “This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause’” (John 15:25, NLT). John 16 starts off with Jesus telling His disciples why they would be hated and even killed by their own people - Jews who claimed to love God, but hated Jesus. Read John 16:2-3. Why would the early Christians be persecuted? What does Jesus reveal about the persecutors' relationship with the Father?
We get the advantage of also looking ahead in HISTORY to see how what Jesus told His disciples played out in the early church. Read Philipians 3:4-6 and Acts 26:9-11. How did Paul describe himself before he found Christ? How did he treat the early Christians before becoming one himself? Why did he do this?
Although many of us today aren’t persecuted like the early church was, across the world there are many Christ followers who are. We should not be shocked when we face rejection for faith in Christ (2 Timothy 3:12). Consider what might happen to your faith if your understanding of living a “Christian life” is a ticket to a “blessed life” in terms of health, wealth, and prosperity in this world. READ John 16:1 in several Bible translations. Why did Jesus tell His disciples to expect persecution when He was gone? What might have happened had He not told them to anticipate this?
How can anchoring your faith in truth help you withstand rejection and difficult times? Have you ever experienced this?
DAY 3 - SPIRIT OF TRUTH (JOHN 16:5-15)
News had gone from bad to worse for the disciples. Not only was Jesus leaving them, but the disciples were told to expect intense persecution after He was gone. How would the disciples handle this without Jesus there with them? Read John 16:7. Why did Jesus say it was better for His disciples if He left?
Jesus still had “many things” He wanted to tell His disciples, but He knew they couldn’t “bear” anymore on this night (vs. 12, KJV). So Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would remain with them and would never leave them (14:17). CONTEXT helps us realize the Spirit is repeatedly referred to as the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13), becuase He will never reveal anything contrary to the truth found in the Word of God. Read John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15. When looking at CONTEXT beyond today’s passage, what do you learn about the role of the Holy Spirit? How can you know if something is not from the Holy Spirit?
Jesus knew His disciples would better understand all that He was saying after He returned to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit. Later on, John, the AUTHOR wrote other books in the Bible that teach more about the ministry of the Spirit. Read 1 John 2:20-27. According to John, is the Holy Spirit a special gift given only to the spiritual elite? If someone has the Holy Spirit who or what stands in the way of them knowing the truth?
DAY 4 - SORROW TRANSFORMED TO JOY (JOHN 16:16-33)
Have you ever felt inundated with information - like too much was thrown at you at one time? We get the sense from today’s passage, that this is exactly how the disciples felt. They started asking each other questions instead of asking Jesus. Not our best plan, but we’ve all been there. Be encouraged. If you don’t understand everything the Bible says right away, Jesus’ own disciples didn’t understand everything Jesus said and He was right there with them! These final passages of Jesus’ teachings show us He knows how much we can handle and will reveal what we need to know as we continue to seek Him and when we’re ready for it! Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What should you do in the midst of unknown circumstances? Have you ever experienced this?
When Jesus said, “a little while and you will no longer see me” (John 16:16, CSB), His disciples didn’t realize Jesus meant He would be crucified in just a few hours! This was a moment in HISTORY that would be remembered nearly 2000 years later, and Jesus realized that not everyone would have the same reaction to His death. Read John 16:16-20. How did Jesus say the world would respond to His death? How about His disciples?
Just imagine how the disciples must have felt when their long awaited Messiah was dead! Jesus knew exactly how devastated they would be and that’s why He told them, “again a little while and you will see me” (vs.19, CSB). Remember, that what we celebrate on Easter –– that Jesus rose from the grave, alive again just three days later ––the disciples didn’t realize that was the plan. Read John 16:22. What did Jesus say the disciples' response would be when they saw Jesus alive again? How does the joy the disciples experienced APPLY to Christians today? Can our joy be taken away?
Notice that Jesus didn’t say the thing that caused them pain would be taken away, but rather their sorrow would turn into joy. How does the illustration of a woman in labor help us understand how pain can be transformed to joy? How can you APPLY this to difficulties you’re facing today?
At that point in HISTORY death on a cross was the most dishonoring way one could die. Once a symbol of shame and death, Jesus transformed what the cross represents for the rest of history! If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, what does the cross symbolize to you?
The last thing Jesus spoke of in the upper room, before He prayed with His disciples, was peace. Clearly He wasn’t telling them they would never experience hard times, for He once again plainly said, “you will have suffering in this world” (vs. 33). Read John 16:33 and 14:27-31.
What’s the difference between worldly peace and that which Jesus gives (see also Philippians 4:7)?
What other similarities do you notice when you READ these passages and how would that have given the disciples peace (Hint: John 14:30 & 16:33)?
How does this peace Jesus spoke of APPLY in your life?
Written by: Sarah West
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