John 16:1-14

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

“I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or Me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you will remember I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going away to Him who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. About sin, because they do not believe in Me; about righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take from me what is mine and declare it to you.”

– John 16:1-14

Devotion

Jesus now warns His disciples what is to come. He will return to the Father, but He will send the Holy Spirit to indwell them and continue His work in their lives. They will be banned from the synagogues and martyred for their faith in Christ. Not a real positive message, but they will not be alone on this journey because the Counselor (Spirit of God) will be with them.

The Big Question

Why did Jesus warn His disciples about such things? (See verse one) Why is it significant that Jesus again refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in this context? According to Jesus, what does the Holy Spirit do as He works in this world? What comfort do you find in Jesus’ words here?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.