The World is Overcome

The Love of the Father.

While Jesus has spoken in illustrations using parabolic illustrations, the time for Him to speak plainly was coming. The people of God were close to the beginning of the paraclete age, the One who would guide believers into all truth. The coming of the Spirit certainly seems to be in view because contextually, Jesus has His return to the Father in mind (v.28). Jesus’ ministry of teaching will be mediated through the Holy Spirit. Jesus still speaks today, doing so through the Spirit who indwells the people of God.

Jesus returns again to asking in His name. He doubles down on the idea that He is not the One asking. Instead, believers themselves will be able to go to the Father and ask in Jesus’ name. While Jesus is the mediator of our relationship with God, securing our status as His children, it is our prayers that are personally heard by God. Access and authority have been given to the believer through their union with Jesus and their restoration to the Father. Remember that all believers are given access to the Father through the death of Jesus and the rending and replacement of the veil.

It is no insignificant thing that the disciples believed that Jesus came from the Father. This indicates that they understand His divine calling, and that they believe He is true and right in what He has revealed and taught. Believers are completely loved by the Father because they love the One who is wholly loved by the Father: Jesus the Son.

The Return of the Son.

Implied in this verse is the fact that Jesus was incarnated as a man (see Jn1:1; 14), coming into the world to seek and to save the lost (Lk19:10) and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mt20:28; Mk10:45; Jn13:1-17). Because He will accomplish His mission, which includes His death and resurrection, He will return to the Father.

Some have called this an implied summary of the gospel in a sentence. And indeed, that it is, but so much more. I believe this passage may be the highlight of the entire verse…so hang on to it. We’ll circle back in just a few minutes.

The Understanding of the Disciples.

The disciples finally understand that Jesus is speaking about returning to the Father.

Because Jesus spoke plainly about returning to the Father, the disciples finally (perhaps more completely) know that Jesus came from the Father. Jesus’ ability to speak truth about future events reveals that He came from God and leads the disciples to believe in Him. If He can speak about the certainty of the future, then surely He knows all things. Earlier, Jesus even knew the questions on the hearts and minds of the disciples. Where does such knowledge come from if not from God Himself?!

It was no small thing to sit at the feet of a famous rabbi. That’s why Paul mentions sitting at the feet of Gamaliel in Acts 22. We do similar things when we talk about certain education programs or even an ivy-league education. Even among the SBC seminaries, different schools have reputations for different strengths, but most folks agree that Southern is the flagship academic seminary. Jesus is the top rabbi of them all, as the disciples confess that He knows all things. NO small wonder, since He is the logos who was both God and with God.

The Tribulation of the Church.

Jesus’ response could be a question, but could also be an exclamation: “You believe at last!” (older NIV versions). He continues to teach and bolster their faith. Part of this teaching concerning the future includes stating the truth of Zec13:7 — the disciples will be scattered when the Shepherd is struck.

As the hammer strokes fell, driving steel into the flesh of God, all the disciples save one fled. See, this whole Messiah thing would not work out the way that the disciples thought it would, and they drop it, going back to their own homes. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that when God doesn’t orchestrate life according to our plans and preconceived notions, and when we are faced with dark and grim realities…when we wrestle with genuine fear and doubt…it can be awfully tempting to turn and walk. But oh, what a difference the Spirit of God makes. These same disciples that flee when the Shepherd is struck will die martyrs who refuse to abandon Christ again. May we have the same steadfast commitment when trial and tribulation comes our way.

Even though the disciples are scattered, leaving Jesus alone, He is still not alone, for the Father is with Him. The love expressed and experienced in the unity of the Trinity is the constant companion that sees Jesus through and making the agony of His confession, “My God, My God…” all the more heart-wrenching. Bearing the weight of the sin of the world, taking the punishment of all mankind on His lashed and beaten shoulders, He feels the separation from God that sin brings all the while still pleading with those who would have ears to hear.

The Victory of Jesus.

Jesus’ final word is one of victorious hope. When He calls the disciples to take heart, He’s instructing them to be confident and sure. He has defeated the world as one would win in a contest or military conflict. The world here refers to sin and all that is opposed to the will of God. The battle has been won and all that’s left is the “Happily ever after” in Christ’s return as the Conquering King.

And in this passage, we understand at last and fully that the word of God has gone forth and accomplished and succeeded in that which the Father has sent it for.

Understood in light of Isa.55

Jesus’ teaching here is patterned after Is55:11-12. This unlocks the emphasis of this portion of Scripture! Isaiah 55 is an expression of the compassion of God. Having disciplined His people, God calls for repentance. Notable passages among Is55 are:

Is55:1 — “Come, everyone who thirsts…”

Is55:2a — “Why do you…labor for that which does not satisfy?”

Is55:3 — “…come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make…an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.”

Is55:5 — “Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know…because of the LORD your God,…for He has glorified you.”

Is55:6 — “Seek the LORD while He may be found…”

Is55:7 — “let the wicked forsake his way…let him return to the LORD…for He will abundantly pardon.”

Is55:8 — Why? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”

Is55:9 — because “…my ways are higher than your ways…”

Is55:10 — for as the “rain and snow come down” and “water the earth,” causing it to bear fruit…

Is55:11 — so does “the word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return empty, but…shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Is55:13 — what does it accomplish? Such change that the Lord is glorified. “Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”