But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.
John 20:31
Dear Diary,
Dinner is done, the night is late, and much has happened. Judas went out and hasn’t come back. Did Jesus really say he was a traitor? I sure didn’t see that coming. And Jesus is talking of leaving too. Where will He go? Why can’t I go with Him? We’ve been Him for so long now that I wouldn’t know what to do without Him. But then He said we’ll see Him again. What does this all mean?
If John had kept a journal, this is what I imagine he may have written that night. He wrote the book in retrospect, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. But when he was walking through those events, he did not understand. He was scared and confused. It would all be made plain later on, but that night was a nightmare.
You and I have nights like that too. It’s during those nights that we must remember what Jesus said in John 16: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
O Come, Let Us ADORE Him
You won’t know the peace that Jesus offers to you until you read His Word and let it sink in. So I ask you today to do just that. Last week I introduced the ADORE Bible study method, which I have recently started using myself. I learned this method in the book Living the Exchange (© 2017 by Jeff Musgrave).
As you read today’s chapter, look for the answers to the following questions. I will give you my answers below, but know that there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. What God gives you from the passage may be different from what He gave me. I’ve also come to see that some of the things I’ve learned seem to overlap, as though they could be used to answer more than one question. That’s okay too. The main thing is reading God’s Word with the purpose of letting it change you.
A — Application — Are there any principles to apply or promises to claim?
D — Dependence — Are there any steps of faith I should take today?
O — Obedience — Are there any commands to obey or sins to forsake?
R — Relationship — What is God revealing to me about Himself?
E — Example — Are there any examples to follow or warnings to heed?
God’s Words to Me in John 16
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where do you go? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15 All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
16 A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he said unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he said, A little while? we cannot tell what he said. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you inquire among yourselves of what I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour has come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
23 And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: but this we believe that you came forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour comes, yea, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
My Words to God
If you were going to talk to God about what you learned in this chapter, what would you say? Write your response in a notebook or journal in the form of a prayer.
What God taught me
Note: As I read and study the chapter, I do not take these questions in order, but fill in my answers as the Lord shows me what He wants me to see.
A — Application — Are there any principles to apply or promises to claim?
- Verses 6-7 Sometimes sorrow is necessary, but God always follows up with comfort.
D — Dependence — Are there any steps of faith I should take today?
- Verses 12-13 — I must follow Him wherever He leads, trusting that He knows what’s best and will tell me more when I’m ready to hear it.
O — Obedience — Are there any commands to obey or sins to forsake?
- Verses 23-24 — Jesus tells me to pray in His name, that my joy may be full.
R — Relationship — What is God revealing to me about Himself?
- Verses 1, 4, 7, 12-13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 32-33 — He knows everything. He sees the future clearly, and He has it all under control. He is my life, my joy, and my peace.
E — Example — Are there any examples to follow or warnings to heed?
- Verses 31-32 — The Word warns me to not be overconfident in my faith, for it will be tested, and sometimes it will fail. But Jesus will restore my faith when I run back to Him.
This week’s memory verse
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Photo taken at Princess Beach in Destin, Florida, 2019
The Abundant Heart 