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Day 231

John 16 : 1-15 "REASONS FOR TEACHING OF DEEP LESSONS"

Day 231 – John 16

REASONS FOR TEACHING OF DEEP LESSONS

Jesus always had a good and deep reason for everything He did! He had His reasons for spending the last hours teaching His Disciples profound truths. He explained to His Disciples why He needed to spend so much time teaching them the Word.

“These things I have spoken to you,
that you should not be made to stumble.”
John 16:1

Let us take time to compare this word of Jesus to another statement that He made earlier concerning why He taught His Disciples as He did.

“And now I have told you before it comes,
that when it does come to pass, you may believe.”
John 14:29

If we were to combine the two texts, we would have a better comprehension of why Jesus taught His Disciples about what would transpire shortly.

“That…you may believe…”

This phrase may be understood in at least two ways:-

1. Strengthening of faith

Through the word that Jesus taught them, the Disciples would have a stronger faith to cope with the trials and tribulations ahead. The special word that Jesus gave to His Disciples concerning the trials that lay ahead of Him was meant to strengthen their faith. This was what Jesus meant when He said, “That…you may believe”.

2. Deepening of faith

The Disciples already had an initial faith! That basic faith in Jesus gave them salvation. As they followed Jesus and learned from Him, they found that their faith deepened considerably. However, there was always room for an even deeper faith. The word that Jesus spoke to His Disciples about His suffering, His death, and also His resurrection would deepen their faith so that they could trust Him even more. A deeper faith would also enable them to endure the trials that they must undergo in time to come. This was also in the purview of Jesus when He said, “That…you may believe”.

“That you should not be made to stumble…”

Jesus spoke in the context of His knowledge of the frailty of man. Though the Eleven had been loyal and faithful, they were still but men. He also knew how the Evil One would unleash tremendous spiritual power against the Disciples. They would falter and fail if they did not have a much stronger faith. How could they prevent themselves from stumbling and falling, never to rise up again? The answer lay in the Word that Jesus gave to them! There was great power in the Word that Jesus taught. There was intrinsic power in the Word that Jesus spoke! Thus Jesus said, “That you should not be made to stumble…”

THE GLORY OF THE WORD OF GOD

Jesus knew the power of the Word of God that He proclaimed. Thus He spared no efforts to teach His Disciples the Word. Let us take time to revel in the glory that attends the Word of God. Let us highlight three aspects of the glory of the Word.

1. John the Baptiser’s testimony concerning Jesus’ ministry of the Word of God

John bore powerful witness of Jesus and His ministry of the Word.

“For He whom God has sent speaks the Words of God,
for God does not give (to Him) the Spirit by measure.”
John 3:34 (John 7:16)

2. The Word can create saving-faith

This was the experience of the Samaritans who heard Jesus preach the Gospel. John the author noted how the Samaritans, who had been long-time enemies of the Jews, listened to Jesus and came to have saving-faith.

“And many of the Samaritans of that city (Sychar)
believed in Him because of the word of the woman
who testified…

And many more believed because of His own word.”
John 4:39, 41

3. The Word gives life

Many failed to realize the life-giving power of the Word that Jesus preached, despite the numerous statements He proclaimed.


“Most assuredly, I say to you,
he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment…”
John 5:24

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:63

A few recognized that the Word Jesus proclaimed was indeed life giving. Peter was one of the people who understood that and thus followed Jesus as His Disciple.

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words
of eternal life.”
John 6:68

ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN THE POWER OF THE WORD

Jesus had absolute confidence in the power of the Word that He spoke to His Disciples. It would create a deep and strong faith in them, if only they would abide in His Word (John 15:7). There was no better way of preparing His Disciples for what lay ahead than to teach them deep spiritual truths – The Word of God!

How our hearts must be challenged to examine our regard for the Word of God. How well do we know the Word? How well are we abiding in His commandments?