Jesus suffered ostracism from His family and persecution from the Jewish leaders during His ministry on Earth. And the time would come when the disciples would share in His suffering. Today, it is estimated that 388 million Christians around the world – or 1 in 7 believers worldwide – experience high levels of persecution. Even as Christians endure violence and oppression for the sake of the Gospel, believers are assured of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that encourages, comforts, and strengthens believers in times of adversity and persecution.
Why do believers endure persecution? Earlier Jesus explained in John 15:18-19 that the world hates believers because they belong to Christ. When Jesus refers to the “world” John uses the Greek word kosmos. This word refers not to the physical Earth, but rather it refers to the prevailing moral and spiritual condition of the created order. Creation – and humanity included – is corrupted by sin. And because it is Christ’s mission to redeem the created order from sin, the world stands in opposition to Christ and His followers. In verses 8-11, Jesus explains that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. It is for this reason that the world, both then and now, hates the Gospel.
The world has a sin problem. This is painfully obvious whenever we see injustice and suffering in the world, or when we hurt or are hurt by others. And yet the world deludes people into thinking that sin is normal or even desirable. However, the Bible warns against the allure of sin. Although sin promises temporary pleasure and fulfillment, it only leaves destruction and disappointment in it its wake. At the root of sin is pride; pride in believing that our way is better than God’s way. This is why embracing sin can prevent people from believing in Jesus. However, in choosing sin over following Christ, we may think that we are exercising our freedom and autonomy, but we have submitted ourselves to a devastating form of slavery. We become slaves to our sinful desires and inflict suffering on ourselves and on others.
The world also has a problem perceiving what is true righteousness. Like the Jewish leaders, many people think that their works will make them pure before God. Some may even use their works to justify or gloss over their sinful behaviour. Have you heard statements such as this one: “I might not be perfect, but I am definitely better than so and so.” This is not only a statement rooted in pride in our own wisdom and efforts, and therefore rooted in sin, but it also places us in the position of God. Only God, who is perfect in holiness, can define what is sin and what is righteousness. And God says that all have fallen short of His holy standards. He will also judge the world and Satan, who presides over the sinful state of creation. Sin will one day be destroyed, and God will restore the world to what it was meant to be: a world free of pain, suffering, and death.
Jesus needed to leave the disciples so that He may fulfill God’s promise to humanity. Through His death and resurrection, we are cleansed of sin, are clothed in His righteousness, and are assured of our ultimate destiny united with our Heavenly Father. Jesus warns that we can expect the opposition and persecution of the world. But He also leaves us with this assurance:
“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Read the passage prayerfully a few times over and then answer the questions: John 16
Questions:
- What does Jesus say about the kind of persecution that the disciples will face? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in encourages and equipping believers to face persecution? (v. 1-15, Luke 12:22-34),
- From your own experience, what does the world say about sin, righteousness, and judgement (see references below)? How does the world’s belief on these concepts contrast with what is declared in God’s Word?
- Sin: cf. Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; Romans 6:23; Galatians 5:19-21; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-20; 2 Timothy 3:1-5
- Righteousness: cf. Genesis 15:6; Psalm 7:17; Psalm 23:3; Psalm 50:6; Romans 3:21-26; Colossians 3; James 1:14-15; 1 John 1
- Judgement: cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10;1 Peter 4:17; Matthew 12:36; Revelation 20:11-15
- How does Jesus comfort the disciples even as He warns them that they will face persecution for their decision to follow Him? (v. 16-33)
Application:
- Have you experienced persecution for the sake of Christ? How does this chapter bring comfort to you either in present or future persecution, as well as encourage you to pray for and minister to persecuted believers?
- How has this passage pushed your thinking on sin, righteousness, and judgement?
Conclusion & Heart Prayer:
Lord, what are You saying to me? And what are You calling me to do about it?
