The Promise of Peace
(A Night Like No Other – Part 10)
#146 in Series: “The Life of Christ – in a Harmony of The Gospels”
We come to a section today, where Jesus continues pouring truth into His disciples during the night preceding His going to the cross… The scene has been one filled with ups and downs emotionally, if not spiritually. There are times when Jesus speaks of great joy, and others of great warning… The disciples are being challenged beyond their ability to even comprehend the depth of all that is about to happen…
After the section when Jesus has been speaking of the coming Holy Spirit, and how He will work in the lives of disciples, as well as in the lives of unbelievers, Jesus now turns to a subject that … unsettles His disciples a bit, but stay with me… We are going to see the promise of peace that Jesus does bring to His disciples, now matter what one may face in the challenges of life…
Let’s read our text –
John 16:16-33
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. 21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples *said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
(This is the Word of the Lord…)
As we think through Jesus’ Words, we see some interesting … emotions, and negative experiences that are addressed… There is perplexity, pain, and trouble, but there is also the great promise of victory and peace that comes from the Lord to the hearts of those who know Him…
Let’s begin with –
1. A Peep into Perplexity, Grief, and Pain
When Jesus begins this section – speaking about what is about to occur over the next few days – the disciples … become … perplexed.
Let’s look at it more closely –
John 16:16-18
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”
Simply stated – Jesus is talking about the literalness of what is going to occur in the next several hours… They are not going to see Him – for a little while. And then they will see Him again… What is that all about, and when does it happen?
We have the benefit of hindsight… Of course Jesus is talking about His death, burial, and resurrection! But, what I want you to see for a moment is … what do the disciples do when they are obviously perplexed over Jesus’ words?
First – they do what we often do… They turn to others to get “an interpretation” about something they don’t understand… They seek one another’s perspective on what the Lord has just said – rather than simply asking the Lord for clarification that they need!
Does that sound familiar?... How often have you and I done the same thing?...
You know, the Bible does say –
… in abundance of counselors there is safety.
Now get this – we are not to seek out others for counsel about a matter until we find someone who will simply tell us what we want to hear anyway…
And today, there is a new source of “counsel” that we need to be mindful and careful of… It is Artificial Intelligence (AI)… I heard this past week that the number one reason people are using AI is … “to get advice”... Listen, a machine programmed by people, is still a source of “counsel” that is limited to the abilities and ideologies of people!
We are to seek truth and wisdom in matters where we are lacking in understanding! And that source of truth and wisdom is from the Lord Alone!
Instead of talking to each other, it would have been better if the disciples simply turned to the Lord and expressed their lack of understanding to Him… They were hesitant, but nevertheless, Jesus understood what they were thinking, so we read in verse :19 –
John 16:19
Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’?
Then Jesus goes on to give them information that will help them… Jesus states clearly what is going to happen to them in the hours that “they can’t see Him”... Once Jesus is dead – their world is going to be turned upside down!
John 16:20
Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve…
Stop there for a moment!... Jesus is alerting them ahead of time of what they are about to experience! He does this, wanting to help them understand that when it occurs, it will not … totally defeat them…
And what Jesus said would happen, is exactly what happened! As we continue to study what happens after this conversation – we will see the grief and pain that the disciples will experience over the next few days…
In a matter of hours the world – that is the religious world of that day – will cry out for Jesus’ crucifixion, and once He is dead, they will rejoice, thinking that Jesus is finally gone!
But listen… the world doesn’t get the final word!... God is unfolding His plan – the plan He determined before He ever said; “let there be light” – God had determined that these events were to occur for the express purpose of redeeming His people from their sin!...
Frankly, this is a deep concept, and we will think about it in more detail as we encounter it in the Scriptures, but for now, let’s move on to consider what Jesus immediately says! Jesus gives –
2. A Pivotinto Relief, and Joy
Jesus said –
John 16:20c
… you will grieve but your grief will be turned into joy.
But, Jesus explains that their discouragement and grief will not last long! It “will be turned to joy” – and when does that happen? When it is revealed on the third day that He is risen!...
Right now, Jesus describes what they are about to experience as being … similar to the misery a woman experiences in labor, but is afterwards followed by great joy:
John 16:21-22
21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
The crucifixion of Jesus is not presented in Scripture as some … “bump in the road” in God’s plan in History… It is the very plan of God – and like joy following labor is a part of God’s plan – the sorrow of the disciples will be literally turned to joy!
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said – “It is most remarkable and instructive that the apostles do not appear in their sermons or epistles to have spoken of the death of our Lord with any kind of regret. The gospels mention their distress during the actual occurrence of the crucifixion, but after the resurrection, and especially after Pentecost, we hear of no such grief.”
Their grief had literally been turned into joy!
3. A Promise of Accessibility, Assurance, and Peace
Let’s consider this carefully… Jesus said –
John 16:23-24
23 In that day [that is, the “day” following all the grief being followed by the joy to come… the day when the purpose of the cross is fulfilled – Jesus says] you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
Jesus speaks of the direct accessibility that Christians now have – after the cross – to the very Throne Room of God!
This doesn’t read so smoothly in English, so it leaves us … scratching our heads a bit… I think Professor Morris has a helpful understanding of this statement –
Leon Morris – “The meaning is that the atoning death of Jesus will revolutionize the whole situation. On the basis of the Son’s atoning work men will approach God and know the answers to their prayers.”
Jesus is our Mediator – the One Who provides our direct access to the Father!... The writer of Hebrews explains what Jesus has indeed accomplished for us, when he wrote –
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The Lord Jesus has provided us direct access to the Throne Room of God, and we come “in His Name”!
Jesus goes on –
John 16:25-27
25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
On many occasions, Jesus spoke in “figurative language”... He was using figurative language when talking about His “a little while”, and about “childbirth” a little earlier. But now, after explaining it, and referencing what the future is going to be like, He says there is no longer any need for Him to speak to His disciples in figurative language…
But, in this section, the main point Jesus is making, has to do with … assurance.
The disciples are assured of the Father’s love for them!... One point we need to make certain we understand, is that … the Father’s love is not dependant on the disciples (then, or now) loving Jesus! Rather, our love for Jesus … our love for the Father is, and has always been, the … result of His loving us!
Again, ours is a responsive love!
The Apostle John was standing right there – and he understood this!... He later wrote –
We love, because He first loved us.
I like what David Guzik says at this point –
David Guzik – “A pulse doesn’t make the heart pump, but it is evidence of it. Our love for God doesn’t make Him love us, but it is evidence that He loves us.”
Looke carefully at verse :28 –
John 16:28
I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
It has been noted that this is a wonderful summary of the origin and purpose for why Jesus came into the world:
· I came forth from the Father: Jesus is God, having existed in heaven’s glory and goodness before He ever came to the earth.
· And have come into the world: Jesus was born as a man, having added humanity to deity.
· I am leaving the world again: Jesus would die.
· And going to the Father: Jesus would rise from the dead and ascend to heaven…
What follows is a followup conversation between the disciples and Jesus… Let’s pick up with verse :29 –
John 16:29-31
29 His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
Pause there…
This is an interesting exchange… What we need to understand is that Jesus does acknowledge their faith! Throughout His time with them, there were times that their faith was … “litte”...
(Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:20, Luke 12:28, 16:10, 19:17)
There are five times in the book of Matthew, and three times recorded by Luke – where Jesus addressed their “little faith”... But, the Lord has been patient … and they have grown…
By the way… He’s patient with you too!...
Their faith is bigger now – but … Jesus goes on to tell them that it will yet be … tested!
John 16:32
Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
The fulfillment of these words are only a few hours away… The disciples will scatter … leaving Jesus … but, Jesus will not be Alone… The Father is with Him!.
But, notice something… In all that is being said here, Jesus again demonstrates something that has always been true throughout His ministry… He is focused – NOT upon Himself, but upon those whom He came to redeem!
Let’s read verse :33 –
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
These are powerful words. Not only are they powerful, because they are true – but also because of their … setting.
Keep in mind what is going on when Jesus makes this statement… Judas is in the process of betraying Jesus. Jesus and His disciples are making their way to the Garden, where Jesus will soon be arrested… Before long, the disciples will scatter, and the … trials will begin…
Yet, in that setting, Jesus is … offering peace!
Earlier in the evening, Jesus said to His disciples –
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
So, Jesus promises His disciples peace – even in the midst of the storms they are going through… He clarifies that this peace is … not like the “peace” produced by the world – that is, it can’t be manufactured, bought, or imitated… So, where is His peace found?
First, it is found only through Christ –
Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Not only is peace through Christ, but more … precisely – peace is found in Christ!
Ephesians 2:14
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Ok… there is one more question, for which we need an answer… We know that the peace of which Jesus promises, is not a temporary, or artificial peace produced by the world… We know that He Himself is the very source of this peace, for He is the Prince of Peace… But, the question yet to be answered is – how does a disciple … tap into this peace? How do we come to the place, that in spite of the circumstances of life, despite the attitude of others, how does one obtain this peace?
When thinking about this question, my mind immediately went to a verse I hope you memorize… The version I learned it in is the KJV, and I like the NKJV rendering. Listen carefully. It’s a prayer uttered by the Prophet Isaiah –
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Notice the battleground that threatens one’s peace is … the mind. So the solution, is to fix your mind upon the Lord! Look to Him. Focus on Him and His purposes… Rest in Him… Fill your mind with His Word. “Renew your mind” in Him … constantly…
The mind and the heart then go together… “Trust in Him”!
We almost always focus our minds on whatever we are trusting…
