The Gospel of John: John 16.1-15

Read and meditate on John 16.4.
Remembering the things Jesus taught them would be of much help for the disciples as the things He taught began to come to pass.

                                                  ⁴“But I have spoken to
you all these things, that when their time comes, you
may all remember what I said to you.
I did not say these things to you while I
was with you.”

- John 16.4

Reflect
1.  A couple of very important principles are contained in this verse. First, let’s have a brief review (you might want to scan chapters 13-15). What are the “these things” to which Jesus referred? What had He been teaching His disciples, and through them, us? Complete this prayer: Lord, so many things clutter my mind! Help me always to remember…

2.  Remembering is a primary function of the mind. Imagine if we could not remember! How completely lost we would be each day (“Now where do I keep my clothes?” “How do I get to work?”). How does memory work? That is, how do things become embedded in our memory, so that they’ll be there automatically when we need them? Thank You, Lord, for the gift of memory. Let me not take this gift for granted, but…

3.  Jesus told the disciples that remembering these things would be important “when their time comes” (the Greek has their time rather than the time). Why? How would remembering these things help the disciples when the time came to love the brethren, or as they experienced people’s hatred, or when a situation arose where they might do good to someone? If they did not make a point of remembering these things, would they be as well prepared for such situations as they should be? Explain. Help me to prepare each day to remember the things You’ve taught me, Lord, so that…

4.  John 13-16 is the longest extended record of Jesus’ teaching anywhere in the gospels – longer even than the Sermon on the Mount. He seems to have left a great deal for the end of His time with His disciples. Why do you suppose He didn’t spread these teachings out throughout the course of His time with them? Was He focusing on other things while He was with them? Such as? Clearly, Lord, I need to see You working and hear what You want to teach me, and this means I…

5. Seeing Jesus and hearing His Word: These are two indispensable aspects of discipleship. We must work hard to apply our memory to each of them, so that we’ll be ready for good works, or to bear up under trials by remembering how Jesus did things, and what He taught about these things. There’s an additional benefit to remembering like this. As we see the things Jesus taught us coming to pass in our lives (as “their time comes”), how does this affect our confidence in the things He’s taught us, but that we do not yet see? Such as His Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven? And His promised return? The dwelling He is preparing for us? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Let us also consider these things in our temptations when we suffer anything from wicked people, ‘looking to the Beginner and Finisher of our faith.’ Let us consider that it is by wicked people and for virtue’s sake and for his sake [that we suffer]. For if we reflect on these things, everything will be easier and more tolerable. Since one is even proud when suffering for those he loves, what kind of feeling will such a person have who suffers for the sake of God? For if Jesus, for our sake, calls that shameful thing, the cross, ‘glory,’ how much more should we think that way! And if we can so despise sufferings, much more shall we be able to despise riches and covetousness. We ought then, when about to endure anything unpleasant, to think not of the toils but of the crowns. For as merchants take into account not the seas only but also the profits, so should we count on heaven and confidence in God. If acquiring things seems pleasant, simply remember that this is not what Christ called us to, and it will immediately appear displeasing. And if it is hard for you to give to the poor, do not keep adding things up in your mind, but rather immediately transport your thoughts to the harvest that results from the sowing. And when it is hard to despise the love of a strange woman, think of the crown that comes after the struggle, and you shall easily bear the struggle. For if fear diverts a person from unseemly things, much more should the love of Christ. Virtue is difficult. But let us cast around its form the greatness of the promise of things to come. Indeed, those who are virtuous, even apart from these promises, see [virtue] beautiful in itself. This is why they go after it and work for it, because it seems good to God and not because it is a job they have to do.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

There is power in the Word of Jesus, as we remember what He has taught us and carry out what He commands. This makes it very important that we let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly (Col. 3.16). What can you do to improve your ability to remember what you have seen and heard from Jesus?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16.7-11

Psalm 16.7-11 (All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All
I bless Your Name, O Lord; my mind instructs each night;
You teach me by Your Word and guide me in the right.
    Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
    Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

You are ever with me, Lord; in You I shall not fall.
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call.
    Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
    Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again,
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
    Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
    Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.