Gospel of John 09.vp

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The Gospe l of John

grief, confusion, longing, and angst of these moments cannot be adequately measured, as our Lord here details to them his departure from them, and his return to the Father. Jesus provides the disciples in chapter 16 the hope of seeing him soon, and the certainty of victory that he as the Conquering Lamb was about to win. Their grief and pain would be turned into joy and victory, for Jesus truly is the Messiah of God.

A. The true reality of being a disciple of Jesus: rejection and abuse , 16.1-3

1. His language: I say these things to keep you from falling away (literally, go astray), 16.1.

a. Offense at the things of Christ is possible for anyone following him, Matt. 11.6 – And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

b. The ungrounded can’t sustain faith, Matt. 13.21 – yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

c. Many actually stumbled at the words of Christ, Matt.13.57 – And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”

d. Is Jesus foreshadowing the times ahead?, Matt. 26.31-33 – Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [32] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” [33] Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”