John 16:5-33

16:5-7 | During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit did not dwell in His followers but selectively empowered them for specific acts of ministry. At the moment of Christ’s ascension, the Father would send the Holy Spirit to serve as a constant presence, comforter, and counselor for His people.

16:8-14 | The Holy Spirit not only convicts believers but guides them into all truth and points them to Christ, glofifying Him. His witness can be trusted (Gal. 5:22-23).

16:15-22 | With the benefit of hindsight, contemporary readers understand that Jesus was talking about His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Because of what Jesus promised about the joyous event of His return, Christians can live with trust and eager anticipation, enduring life’s pain like a woman in labor.

16:23-24 | The power of prayer is in the name of Jesus Chirst. Praying in His name is not a tagline at the end of one’s prayers; it means praying according to His will. Keeping Jesus in focus keeps people from selfish prayers. The result of a Christ-empowered prayer is that a person’s joy will be full.

16:25-28 | Jesus came forth from God and is fully God. Although no human can completely understand the mystery of the Trinity, all three Persons exist, and yet Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one.

16:32-33 | Jeus predicted that the disciples would be scattered, abandoning Him in His hour of need. Indeed only John would be present when Jesus hung on the cross (19:26).

16:33 | Notice that Jesus did not say “if you have tribulation”; He said His followers will have tribulation. Trials, conflicts, and persecutions will come, but Jesus has overcome the world.