Anxious Disciples & the Peace of Christ

Intro:

Have you noticed something in the last few chapters of John? As I try to put myself in narrative I sense some anxiety mounting. Or at the very least Jesus’ warning that things will soon becoming more and more tense.

I wonder if the disciples every thought that following Jesus would lead them through such a stressful and often times confusing set of circumstances. I try to put myself in the shoes of the disciples when Jesus tells them that the world is going to hate them. Jesus does take some time to comfort them with the promise of the Holy Spirit, as Ron preached about last week.

I’ve just recently started rereading (for the 5th or 6th time) The Hobbit. One thing the J.R.R. Tolkien does so well is create more and more tension with each turn of the page.

As you will see from our text today that once again the disciples no doubt have some anxiety and concern. But as always Jesus never leaves his followers with no hope.

Read John 16:16-19

1. Jesus, talking about his departure, creates some confusion amongst the disciples. (16-19)

“In a little while” Time for Christians can be frustrating because what is “little” to us is not necessarily “little” to God.

Psalm 90:4 NIV

A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Peter echos this when he says

2 Peter 3:8 NIV

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

So they are wondering today, next week, next month…years from now?

This is a reflection of our human nature is it not?

Jesus is of course talking about his death & resurrection but they don’t know that yet.

Jesus is privy to the big picture. And what we begin to see is that he can, with confidence, offer comfort to his disciples.

The fact is, the kind of anxiety that is being stirred up in the disciples is a reflection of how most of us react to situations and circumstances that come to us in bits and pieces.

This leads me to ask the question: How are we to react when when you don’t fully comprehend God’s plan?

As Jesus continues to explain he says its not going to be good for you for a while. Remember he told them the world will hate you. So that’s in the back of their minds.

Read John 16:20-22

2. Jesus assures the disciples that a time of grief is coming but it will give way to joy. (20-22)

Double Amen (statement of assurance), the earth rejoices while the disciples mourn.

Who is Jesus talking about when he says world? Why are they rejoicing?

Things are not always as they seem. Jesus continues to slowly reveal (play by play) what will take place in regards to his death and resurrection.

Jesus uses the illustration of Child birth to describe this reality.

No one cant steal this joy. This is supernatural joy. Its source is the resurrection.

Now lets think about this for a minute.

The resurrection of Jesus should create in us unspeakable joy

Joy is not happiness

Jesus says no one can take THIS joy away from you.

Are you able to toss this joy aside?

Read John 16:23-28.

3. A radical shift will occur regarding how mankind will relate to God the Father. (23-28)

“in that day” is an indication that we are now in the time of JOY... the time after Jesus’ resurrection (should be viewed as the end times?)

Followers now ask the Father directly, in Jesus name.

This has affected how we pray (“in Jesus name. Amen.”)

This is not a magical formula or a cure-all for a poorly expressed our formulated prayer.

To be thought of as praying in the nature or the spirit of the Lord Jesus.

This of course will lead to great joy

But lets try to understand verse 25 a little better because it seems a little confusing.

John 16:25 NIV

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

I think what Jesus is explaining to the disciples is that at some time in the future, post resurrection, their understanding would change. (Is he talking about Pentecost? The New Heaven and Earth?)

Regardless, the issue is man’s ability to understand divine truth. Paul addresses this issue in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 13:11–12 NIV

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Jesus is looking ahead to after the resurrection and into the not so distant future and he is saying things are going to change.

Jesus summarizes (again play by play)

John 16:28 NIV

I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Read John 16:29-33.

4. Jesus offers peace that is greater than anything the world has to offer. (29-33)

Now the Disciples think they have got it all figured out.

Not only will their future actions say other wise but Jesus response lets us know that He knows they are not doing as well as they think.

John 16:31–32 NIV

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

This is exactly what happened too. The disciples all scattered like scared sheep.

Mark 14:27 NIV

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

Look closely at this last verse.

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus isn’t talking about peace for them right now. He’s already identified the anxiety, grief and fear.

The peace he speaks of, for them, is when they realize that He was right and they are probably overwhelmed with grief and regret. This is why he’s giving the play by play. So that they will know he is God.

When they are thinking about this they may try to reason, use logic and feelings but non of that will bring the peace they need. This Peace comes from a person, Jesus.

John 12–21 (4) The Forthcoming Reversal and Its Implications (16:29–33)

The promise of peace, or Shalom (eirēnē), which is foundational to the Semitic understanding of wholeness and satisfying life, is here clearly dependent on the little phrase “in me.

And this is not the end of anxiety, grief and fear… “you will have trouble”

The church has known persecution... Christians are not exempt from hardships.

We live in a fallen world we have to contend with death, hate, fear, anxiety, taxes.... and on top of that there is an enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour.

The Gospel according to John 4. The Prospect of Joy beyond the Trouble of This World (16:16–33)

Jesus’ point is that by his death he has made the world’s opposition pointless and beggarly. The decisive battle has been waged and won. The world continues its wretched attacks, but those who are in Christ share the victory he has won. They cannot be harmed by the world’s evil, and they know who triumphs in the end. From this they take heart, and begin to share his peace.