John 16:25-33
Take Heart
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 16:25-33, NLT) 25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” 29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Observation
Jesus’ speech will shift from figurative to plainer. Jesus is going to use less symbolic language to explain the works of God.
There is a major shift occurring in these verses. Jesus is giving the disciples direct access to the Father as a result of their belief in him. No more intermediary is necessary. Wow.
The disciples seem relieved that Jesus is speaking more plainly now. It appears to help them understand better.
Again, the point of the book of John comes to us again when Jesus asks, “Do you finally believe?”
A scattering is coming. Each one of the disciples will be scattered and leave Jesus. There is some irony in the disciples leaving Jesus, because he has been speaking about leaving them for the past few chapters.
The phrase "leave me alone” really stood out to me. The abandonment that the disciples are feeling will be experienced by Jesus when they are scattered during the crucifixion.
Jesus speaks very plainly that even though the disciples will leave him, he is not alone because the Father is with him. This is true for us as well.
The result of knowing that Father God is always with us leads directly to peace. We can always have peace because we always have the Father.
Jesus tells his disciples that here on earth they will have many trials and sorrows, but not to worry because Jesus has OVERCOME the world.
Application
God speaks to us in symbols. He also speaks to us plainly.
We are never alone when we have Jesus.
I can go directly to the Father, in Jesus’ name.
I can overcome because Jesus has overcome the world.
Prayer
Holy Father, I remember your words in Psalms 23, “though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. I will fear no evil.” Though I have sorrow and many trials I will trust you. I will trust in God and also in Jesus. Holy Spirit help me to move towards God in the difficulties of life and not away from him. In him is peace and fullness of joy. I am an overcomer because I believe in the one who overcame the world. May the peace of God fill me this day. In Jesus' name, amen!
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