March 17, 2023 – Friday
John 16:29-31 NIV
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “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.
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Yesterday we covered v27, 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God or 27 For the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from God, where Jesus was saying to His disciples, they are loved by the Father because they love Jesus and believe He came from God. They believed and loved. Thus, they could pray in Jesus’ name and know the Father hears their prayers as they are loved by Him. And the same is true for us.
Jesus added the following before the disciples commented, 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. This led His disciples to say, 29 Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God. Jesus began this discourse in 14:1, saying first, 1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. And then, You believe in God; believe also in me. Thus it appears from the disciples’ declaration they do now understand. They seem to have great confidence in their understanding that Jesus did indeed come from God.
But then comes Jesus’ reply, 31Do you now believe? 32 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. Almost every version of the Bible poses verse 31 as a question, but should it be a question? Look at the Cloverdale Bible of 1535 and the Tyndale Bible of 1526 where both translate verse 31 as, Now ye do beleve, as if He is accepting their statement of belief. Which is then followed by a serious warning of times to come for them, 32 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. They will abandon Jesus after He is arrested. Peter hangs around just close enough that he ends up denying Jesus three times before the rooster crows. John is somewhere nearby unnoticed so that he can watch and later record the events. They will scatter in fear, leaving Jesus alone. But He declares, Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. That is until He receives mankind’s punishment on the cross, then He will be utterly alone for the first and last time in all of eternity.
This chapter concludes with Jesus saying to His disciples, 33 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. Yes, you will scatter and abandon me, and in this world. you will have trouble. Without a doubt they will, especially as their doubts grow within them after His crucifixion. But He concludes with But take heart! I have overcome the world. What are we to make of But take heart! with an exclamation mark? The Classic Edition of the Amplified Bible (AMPCE) provides the following for the entire latter portion of this verse, be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] Indeed!
Bottom Line: The world will throw many trials and tribulations our way, even causing us to doubt our faith. However, we are to be of good cheer and take courage from our deepest faith knowing that Jesus did indeed die for our sins on the cross and then rose to life on the third day. He is our Lord and Savior.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for Your incredible mercy and love. A love so great You sent Your Son to pay the price for all of our sins. We can only humbly offer up our thanks. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek
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