- The Explore the Bible lesson for March 26 focuses on John 14:16-31.
Jesus was leaving his disciples—albeit with the promise of his return—but he was not leaving them empty handed. He promised to ask the Father to give them “another advocate” and to personally leave them with “[his] peace” (John 14:16, 27). Antecedent to these promises is the established covenantal relationship between the disciples and Jesus—a foundation built upon love and obedience toward him (“If you love me, keep my commands;” John 14:15). The immediate use of “and” following John 14:15 implies the linkage of the promises to the relationship.
One should not assume that it is through our works that the Holy Spirit or the peace of Jesus become available to us. Nonetheless, the text reveals we can observe and enjoy these promises through faithful relationship with Jesus. Moreover, we are in great need of the Spirit and the peace of Jesus if we are to maintain faith amidst the troubles we face in this world.
He Will Give You Another Advocate (John 14:16)
Continuing the motif of comforting the disciples in preparation for his departure, Jesus assures them the promise of the Spirit to come as their support. Jesus addresses the Spirit as “another advocate,” suggesting that Jesus is the present advocate of God. The use of the Greek paraklētos to translate as advocate in this passage can only be found in the writings of John throughout the Bible. In 1 John 2:1, the only other instance where the term paraklētos is found outside of John’s Gospel, Jesus is the one described as the advocate.
Beyond this term, there are other similarities shared between Jesus and the Spirit as expressed by John. The language of the world’s blindness to the Spirit is reminiscent of the world’s ignorance of the Word in the prologue of John’s Gospel (see John 14:17; John 1:10). Only a few actively receive God’s Jesus and the Sprit, and thereby only a few enjoy the effects of their presence.
Also, Jesus implies a special linkage of the Spirit’s presence with his own presence; as Jesus describes the disciples’ unique ability to recognize the Spirit, he says in congruence, “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me” (John 14:19). Also, the function of the Spirit is to “remind” the disciples “everything [Jesus has] said” (John 14:25).
The trinitarian harmony of the Spirit and Jesus—along with Jesus and the Father—comes together in a beautiful way throughout this passage; the emphasis of the close bonds within these trinitarian relationships provides new clarity to the disciples of the continuation of Jesus’ actual presence in the Spirit, and moreover, that this presence is of divine origin.
My Peace I Give You (John 14:27)
Jesus understands the weight of what is coming to him—far beyond what the disciples are able to comprehend—and he also understands what it will accomplish—again, far beyond what they can comprehend. Nonetheless, Jesus comforting the disciples is remarkable given that the very one who is about to endure wrongful arrest, trial, and execution is the one offering up his peace to them.
Jesus wants them to know that, despite the circumstances, everything that is happening is for his and the Father’s glory. It appears backwards according to the perspective of the world, but Jesus does not give “as the world gives” (John 14:27). The will of God does not unfold according to the expectations of the world. God’s kingdom is based on different values and power dynamics than the kingdoms of this world. What the world sees as failure and humiliation, God intends for victory and glory (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-31).
The purpose of imparting peace, then, is to prepare the disciples for tragedy when it strikes (“I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe;” John 14:29) and to assure them that it all coincides with God’s will and purpose for Jesus (see also John 14:30; Jesus’ death is not a sign of weakness, but it is a sign of his love for the Father and his obedience to the will of the Father.)
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Followers of Jesus today have hindsight about his death, burial and resurrection. We have received the peace of Christ through the grace offered in his sacrifice. Even still, we are not immune to grief and hardship. We still expect and experience the sufferings of the broken world we inhabit. How are we to remain faithful when adversity strikes? Indeed, Jesus assures us that trials are coming. However, the pains we endure in this life have no hold or sway on our salvation in the Lord.
Peace is maintained even through the agony because we belong to the God who is making all things new through Jesus. Amid our trials, our faith rests in the promise of God’s presence and peace, and we continue forth with knowledge of Jesus’ ultimate victory. May we endure trials with the aim of glorifying God even in suffering and may we share in the peace of Christ through the troubles of this world knowing that he has already overcome it (see John 16:33).
Jordan Davis is NextGen pastor at First Baptist Church in Plano.
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