John 16 — In the World Ye Shall Have Tribulation: But Be of Good Cheer; I Have Overcome the World
These things have I spoken that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues. It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. He will reprove the world of sin, righteousness, judgment. He shall guide you into all truth. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me. Your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33
- v.1-15 The promise of the Comforter
- v.16-22 A little while; sorrow turned to joy
- v.23-33 Ask in my name; I have overcome the world
Guide you into all truth. The Spirit's teaching ministry. Christianity is not learned by unaided intellect; the Spirit's help is constitutive.
He shall not speak of himself. The Spirit's self-effacement. He glorifies the Son (v.14). Spirit-filled ministry is Christ-centered ministry.
Ask, and ye shall receive. The new privilege of the new covenant — direct access to the Father in Christ's name. Prayer becomes confident in His name.
That your joy may be full. Prayer is for joy, not duty. The Father gives so that His children rejoice. The verse should reshape prayer's mood.
Three short statements. In Christ — peace. In the world — tribulation. From the throne — I have overcome. The Christian's circumstances and His victory both stand.
I have overcome the world. Past tense, before the cross. The victory was already settled in His mind. Whatever the world brings, the verdict is in.
Verse 33 is the verse to repeat at the day's end when the world has been heavy. In me ye might have peace... I have overcome the world. The tribulation is real; the victory is realer. End the day on the second line.
John 16 is Christ's preparation of His disciples for the cross and beyond. He sends the Comforter; He promises the turning of sorrow to joy; He claims victory before the suffering. The chapter's tenderness is for those who would be left on the earth without His bodily presence. He has overcome; their peace is in Him.
Expedient for you that I go away. A counterintuitive promise. The disciples were losing Christ's bodily presence; they were gaining the Spirit's indwelling.
The Christian today has what the disciples envied — the Spirit in His fullness. The trade is a gain, not a loss.