John 16, Part 4

Scripture: John 16:22-28

Observation: Jesus promises joy to His disciples, a joy that cannot be taken from them regardless of their circumstances. When that day comes their questions will cease; they will understand all Jesus is telling them now. To make their joy complete, Jesus tells them they have only to ask the Father in His name and receive. He is preparing them for a new kind of relationship with Him. They will be guided by the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself will dwell in them. Jesus explains this new relationship He will have with His disciples. There is a connection between God and man thru Jesus - those that love and believe in Christ receive God's love, and by believing in Christ can now petition God thru Jesus and receive an answer.

Application: God loves all mankind. This is shown in 1 John 4:19 - "He loved us first." But when we accept Christ as our Savior, that love is fulfilled. To have a right relationship with God we must have a right understanding of who Jesus is, and we must love Him and believe in Him. It's not enough to believe Jesus existed and He was a good man, a prophet, and righteous. We must believe that He came from the Father and returned to His rightful place with the Father.

Prayer: There was a time I didn't understand who You are, Lord. I was told and taught many things, few of which were correct. As I begin to see You more clearly, and I say begin because I know You a little more each day, I realize I was in the dark about You. You are more than a man, even though You became man to save man. You are fully man and fully God, able to understand my needs and also fulfill them. I am so grateful for Your revelations, and I ask for even more of them, to know You more. In Your Mighty and Powerful Name I pray, Amen.