“John 16:25-33 – “Tribulation Promised, Peace Offered“
(Craig Kozminski)
John 16:25-33 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
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Today’s passage effectively concludes Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. Jesus wraps up his final teachings to the disciples before his impending crucifixion and ascension. He transitions from using symbolic language to speaking plainly, giving them a glimpse of the profound relationship they’ll have with God after his departure.
Then, in just a few powerful phrases, Jesus reiterates the core of his mission:
- “I came from the Father…” Jesus is the Son of God. Not only did he exist before his incarnation but he is eternally begotten. He is also sent to redeem and demonstrate the Father’s love for his chosen people (John 3:16)
- “…and have come into the world…” Full of grace and truth, the Word became flesh. Jesus enters the world and reveals to us through his earthly ministry the will of God for our salvation.
- “…and now I am leaving the world…” Jesus once again indicates that his time with the disciples is drawing to an end. As the great High Priest, Jesus offers himself as a sacrifice without blemish for the sins of mankind, satisfying God’s wrath and reconciling God and his chosen people.
- “…and going to the Father.” Jesus will return to his heavenly throne and once again be at the right hand of the Father. Jesus continues to intercede on behalf of his people and in a new way. Through the blood of Christ and by praying in His name (v. 26), believers have a “new and living way” to approach God’s holy presence (Hebrews 10:19, 20).
Initially, the disciples feel they finally understand. However, Jesus gently reminds them that their faith will be tested. He foretells their scattering and abandonment of him, even while affirming that he is never truly alone, as the Father is always with him.
Jesus’ final message is one of both warning and comfort: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (v. 33) He acknowledges the inevitable struggles his followers will face. But he also offers an unwavering source of peace—himself.
For both the disciples and ourselves, this means three things.
- First, take note that Jesus does not say that we might have tribulation but that we will. Following Jesus means that we will encounter trials: physical and emotional pain, spiritual warfare, hatred by the world, grief, and isolation to name a few.
- Second, because Christ has conquered the world, he is the only source of true peace. His peace comes to those who follow him through the presence of the Holy Spirit, through his example of enduring his own suffering, through his prayers and intercession on our behalf, through the encouragement to be found in the Word and through his body, the church.
- Lastly, we humble ourselves by boldly proclaiming that our identity is in the one who has overcome the world and we boast all the more in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not rely on our own strength but instead recognize the ways that his “power is made perfect in [our] weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Like the apostle Paul, let us learn to see God’s power, strength and glory in the midst of our tribulations.
Weekly Prayer Focus: Capital Campaign
Daily Prayer Request: “Generosity.” Generosity is an important Christian quality. Generosity is an attitude toward the needs of others, that is rooted in our understanding of God. Because God has been generous with us, and because we are confident that he cares for us, we can be generous. Let’s pray that God would make us an increasingly generous people.