Jesus promised his followers both persecution and the Holy Spirit.
Click here for an online Bible John 15:26-16:15
Notice is verses 26 and 27 that the Holy Spirit will testify about Jesus and so will his disciples. This is also on the heels of the discussion of unity. Jesus is unified with the Father. We are unified with Jesus. Now we see that we are also unified with the Holy Spirit. Part of that unity is purpose. We testify about Jesus along with the Holy Spirit. In chapter 16 verse 13, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will guide us in our testimony. In this unity with the Holy Spirit, he guides us as we witness to the world about Jesus. In verses 8-11, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit convicting of sin. He shows people their sinfulness and prompts us to tell the person how they can be forgiven of their sin.
In 16:5, Jesus said that nobody has asked him where he is going. My first thought was, “Wait a minute, Peter asked him back in 13:36.” We don’t know how much time has elapsed since chapter 13. It may have been a few minutes or a couple of hours. Jesus began his statement with “now”. Peter, Thomas, and Judas were asking questions then, but they seem to be silent now. I think their mouths are hanging open and they have blank looks on their faces and they are saying to themselves, “I don’t get it.” In fact, later in this chapter they start saying to each other that they don’t get it. I think that Jesus is showing them how much they don’t get it, so this shows how much they need the Holy Spirit.
This section shows our responsibility in God’s plan. We are to be witnesses for Jesus. But we do this with the Holy Spirit. Only he can show people that they are sinners. He uses us to share the gospel.
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I wanted to share a thought I received not too long ago. The plan of God is redemption -- John 3:16 -- that all men might be saved. This unifying crazy talk that Christ Jesus has been saying is exactly what the Father told Him to say. Now, I thought this was amazing when I saw it and I like to hear what you think. Now, this is the plan -- it's always been the plan -- there has not been any unfolding of a plan -- there's been just one plan -- God using people, not only people but all of His creation to speak to other people -- look close! the plan is the same. God chooses whom He wills, and puts His words into the mouth of that person, like an instrument that vessel/person is to amplify the Word to the people, not adding his own interpretation just repeating -- not even repeating just allowing the tongue to be used by God. Look at what Christ Jesus has been saying and the way He been saying it. Now, look at Moses and what he was suppose to say, watch the dialog between him and Him. Moses is told the name of God, what is it? I AM who I AM. First time I read this I thought God was being cute with Moses, but you look at rhetoric of Christ Jesus from the beginning -- its the same thing -- Jesus is saying I AM who I AM. Moses was suppose to say to Pharoh, when pharoh asked "Who is going to take these people?" Moses was suppose to say "I AM." And you see it all makes sense now. When God sends us to speak He uses our mouths and we can not be like Moses and let self get in the way -- we need our speech to be as clear as Christ has spoken -- not has spoken but is speaking -- and not as Christ but is Christ. We do not need to receive the word and then go off trying to explain how the word got to us. Just give the word straight. God is using us to reach the world. Go ahead and say I AM going to do it...
I AM going to make this clear. -- not me, forget me, I shouldn't even be here, just I AM, or me as I AM will make this clear.
Love,
ej
When Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come he said that we could trust him to guide us in what to say. We are still there, but guided by the Holy Spirit.
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