In these chapters we have the New Commandment to love one
another which is specifically speaking of those who are in the faith, and that
through their love for one another others will see and know them to be His
disciples (John 13:34-35). We have the assurance of a new and better home
awaiting us to which He would bring us (John 14:1-3). We have His statement
about His oneness with the Father in such a way that everything He spoke was
spoken with the authority of the Father (John 14:10-11), and as such we would
read several times in these chapters the words, “Truly, truly.” We read in John
chapter 15 of Him stating that He is the vine and that as we abide in Him and
Him is us that we will bear much fruit, and that this abiding includes His love
shown to us and our obedience lived before Him. He even spoke of those who
would hate them because of their love for Him, but that even then His Spirit would
continue to confirm Him by bearing witness of Him (John 15:18-27). And John 16
begins with, “I have said these things to keep you from falling away.” These
powerful assurance statements of Jesus continued to add one upon the other,
leading to this which we read at the end of chapter 16,
“His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and
are not using a figure of speech. 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.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 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. 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.”” (John 16:29–33,
NASB95)
Jesus spoke to His disciples in this way prior to the crucifixion
so that they would not be destroyed when Jesus was hung upon the cross, but
rather that they would know this was not the end. He spoke these things so that
they would know that He did know what He was talking about and doing, and in
that they could trust Him. It was going to be a difficult time and they were
going to see much that would shake them at their core, and knowing this Jesus
called them to trust Him.
Reading the words of the Upper Room discourse should also
serve as an encouragement to us as we are reminded that God does know what He
is doing, and that He is imminently powerful to accomplish it perfectly. These
words are a powerful reminder of the promises of God, the continual presence of
Christ in our lives, and in the abiding empowerment of the Spirit. All of these
remind us that we, like the disciples, are needy of pouring all of our trust in
Christ who poured Himself out for us and that He will bring to pass what He has
promised and will also preserve us until that day when we meet Him face to
Face.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and
may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will
bring it to pass.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, NASB95)
Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (9/25)
Pour all of your energy into trusting Me. It is through trust
that you stay connected to Me, aware of My Presence. Every step on your
life-journey can be a step of faith. Baby steps of trust are simple for you;
you can take them with almost unconscious ease. Giant steps are another matter
altogether: leaping across chasms in semi-darkness, scaling cliffs of uncertainty,
trudging through the valley of the shadow of death. These feats require sheer
concentration, as well as utter commitment to Me.
Each of My children is a unique blend of temperament,
giftedness, and life experiences. Something that is a baby step for you may be
a giant step for another person, and vice versa. Only I know the difficulty or
ease of each segment your journey. Beware of trying to impress others by acting
as if your giant steps are only baby ones. Do not judge others whose hesitate,
in trembling fear, before an act that would be easy for you. If each of My
children would seek to please Me above all else, fear of others’ judgments
would vanish, as would attempts to impress others. Focus your attention on the
path just ahead of you and on the One who never leaves your side.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort
me.” (Psalm 23:4, NASB95)
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way
you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be
measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1–2, NASB95)
“The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.” (Proverbs 29:25,
NASB95)
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