City Life Starter

Written by Jason Scherzer

The Word

²⁹ His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! ³⁰ Now we are sure that You know all things and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Exegesis

Jesus anticipates the questions of His disciples, questions which were extremely perplexing for them, as well as difficult to articulate: How could He be leaving, why was He going away, and where was He going? He gives them comprehensive answers to their most pressing questions even before they ask. He had been using many parables with the disciples. Parables convey spiritual matters quite deeply, by a comparison with something that is commonly understood, though the comparison is often difficult to grasp, or we might say it is quite a stretch.

As Jesus transitions, He speaks more plainly to the disciples, without the use of parables. He begins to speak about the Father. Jesus has come forth from the Father, is One with the Father, and He is going back to the Father. He has a unique relationship with the Father as the Son of God, yet He has disclosed the Father to His disciples so they will know Him.

As Jesus speaks plainly about the Father, the disciples respond seemingly in unison, that Jesus is now speaking plainly and that they believe He came from God. He has been with the disciples for about 3 years of public ministry, with teaching, signs, wonders, miracles and healing. They should fully believe, but Jesus knows the exact state of their belief without asking. They do believe, yet there is a weakness in their belief: When the Shepherd is struck, the sheep will rapidly scatter.

Though He knows they will scatter, Jesus is generous with the disciples, His dear friends. He has spoken all these words (John 13, 14, 15 and 16) so that they will have peace in their hearts. It is a peace based on the knowledge of the unchangeable, all wise, all knowing Son of God.

John as the writer makes a huge transition here, from Jesus’ words to the disciples which are ended for now. The disciples will essentially not hear Jesus speaking so plainly to them again until after He has been crucified, buried, and raised again. After John chapter 16, we have His high priestly prayer, in a real sense the Lord’s prayer (John 17), and then He will be arrested in John 18. The sheep will soon be scattering, sadly, but afterwards they will remember His perfect words.

Application

How easily we become troubled by things in this world. It may be that we worry about the virus. Perhaps by watching the news we will allow our hearts to be troubled. Concerns about the economy, or something else may trouble us. It is not difficult for us to forget to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the risen Savior, once crucified, now forever glorified.

Keep His words stored deeply in your heart, and reflect on His promises throughout the day, no matter the activity you are engaged. He has triumphantly overcome the world and all its troubles.

Prayer

LORD, your disciples could not fully grasp that You had to go away and go to the Cross. Thank you and praise to You forever that You endured the Cross for each of us to give us forgiveness of sins and restored relationship with God the Father Almighty. Strengthen us now with the knowledge that You have overcome the world and given us victory. In Christ alone, Amen.