“My Father is with me”
May 20, 2021
15:18 – 16:33 Sent into the world, just as Jesus was sent
Read John 16:28-32
Jesus had begun his teaching to the disciples that night knowing “that he had come from God and was returning to God” (13:3) and this had been at the heart of all that he had gone on to tell them. Now, in what is almost a summary of his mission, he drew his teaching to a close with the clear statement: “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father” (28). In response, the disciples insisted that they had finally got the message (29-30).
But Jesus knew that their understanding was still flawed and would prove inadequate to withstand the testing difficulties that would unfold in the next few hours (31-32a). Despite their sincere faith in Jesus, once the shepherd was struck they would all be scattered, just as the prophet Zechariah had foreseen (Zech.13:7; Matt.26:31,56). Jesus had already said that Peter would deny him three times that night (13:37-38) but it was all the disciples – not just Peter – who would abandon him, despite their claim to believe in him. It was only after his death and resurrection that they finally began to understand the message of Jesus properly (Luke 24:25-27).
But though he would be abandoned by his closest friends, Jesus knew that he was in the Father’s hands and the Father would not leave him (32b). That was the basis of his confidence throughout the ordeal ahead, and it’s on that same basis that we too can face trials and difficulties. There will be many times when we don’t understand (even when we think we do!) but our faith rests in the assurance that our Father is with us. He has promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”, and because of that we needn’t be afraid (Heb.13:5-6).