Study inJohn’s Gospel

Presentation 71

DisciplesScattered

Chap 16v28-33

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IntroductionThe disciples were impressed by their professions of faith. Jesus was not and for two reasons. First, their faith had been a long time in coming. Secondly, it was about to evaporate. In these verses, Jesus has answered the disciples’ questions without their having actually asked them, leading them to exclaim, "Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God." v 30.

This claim was honest, but a bit pretentious. They claimed to believe. They said that they were sure in their belief, but they were actually weak in commitment.

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Introduction Jesus went on to foretell their confusion and scattering at the time of his crucifixion. This whole exchange should be a lesson for Christians. We can be confident in our faith, and yet not be as strong as we imagine. We say, "Now I believe." But in a short time we find ourselves doubting the very thing we affirmed.

We say, as Peter did, "Even if I have to die with you I will never disown you" Matt. 26:35. But then we go on to deny Jesus by our speech, thought, and actions.

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A Realistic AppraisalA boy was helping his father put some things on the dining-room table. He asked to carry something that his father thought too heavy for him. He argued with his father, saying, “Please, Dad, I know I can carry it.” Finally, his father relented. The boy started out confidently and carefully, but suddenly he dropped the container and the liquid spilled. And as he stared down at the broken container his oozing self-confidence evaporated!

We have all been there and it helps us understand the profession of the disciples and their feelings as Jesus gently revealed the future to them. They were so sure of their faith. But in a short while - in fact, within hours – their faith would be gone.

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A Realistic AppraisalJesus foretold three things concerning them. First, that they would soon be scattered. When a group of people are together they can bolster one another’s confidence in a quite unrealistic way. But the disciples did not really know themselves. So before long most would scamper back over the Mount of Olives toward Bethany. Peter would follow the arresting party back into Jerusalem, but at a distance!

And after the crucifixion two disciples would beat a retreat for Emmaus, while others were beginning to work out plans for their own departure.

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A Realistic AppraisalSecondly, Jesus foretold their confusion. The statement “you believe at last” is tinged with irony. Soon they would become confused. Now they were sure he was God’s Messiah. But would not believe immediately after the crucifixion? NB. The words of the Emmaus disciples, "We had hoped that he was the one" Luke 24v21.

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A Realistic AppraisalThirdly, Jesus revealed that they would soon be isolated, for each would be scattered "to his own." The NIV tries to be helpful and adds the word ‘home’.

But is Jesus not saying that each would be scattered to his own ‘little world’ and that each would be isolated in it.

With the centre gone, there would no longer be any cohesion for this itinerant band and the attempt to bind the scattered race of Adam into the glorious new unity that is the church would come to ruin.

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A Realistic AppraisalWhat if the disciples were soon scattered, confused, and isolated? Surely that is unimportant if we have understood the meaning of the cross!

Are we never scattered, confused or isolated? Of course, we are! We are scattered-sometimes by persecution, sometimes by our suspicion of other Christians. We are also sometimes confused and unable to answer questions put to us. Circumstances, sickness, and other troubles rattle us. We can be isolated, for Christians are sometimes terribly alone. One Christian writes, "I have no one to turn to; there is no other person with whom I can share my problems."

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A Realistic AppraisalIf this is your experience? Jesus is the exact opposite. His disciples scattered at the time of his arrest, but he stood firm even to the point of death. After his resurrection, he became a magnetic point around whom they re-gathered. They were confused, but he was strong in faith, as a result they recovered faith from him. They were isolated, but he, even though abandoned by them, could say, "And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." They emerged from their isolation when he came to them after his resurrection. Jesus accepts weak, stammering, and even ignorant faith. If he did not who could be saved? Of course our strength is not in our faith but in Jesus who is its object.

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Christ’s LegacySecondly, these verses indicate Christ's parting legacy to his disciples. He had exposed the weakness of their faith. But then he speaks of that which will endure even in tribulation – peace! His peace. Now some imagine peace to be the absence of all conflict - we speak of a country being ‘at peace’ when it is not at war. But this is not what Jesus has in mind. He is imparting peace to men who were soon to be scattered and confused! Notice, he immediately adds, "In the world you will have tribulation." What is the peace that is not destroyed by tribulation? It is contentment and trust in God even in such circumstances.

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Christ’s LegacyIn 1874 a large French steamer was in collision with a sailing vessel and it sank quickly. One passenger a Mrs. Spafford, on being informed that the ship was sinking, knelt with her children and prayed that they might be saved or, if not, that they might submit to God's will. When the ship went down, the children were all lost. Mrs. Spafford was rescued. Ten days later, when she reached Cardiff, she sent her husband this message: "Saved alone."

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Christ’s LegacyThis blow is beyond the comprehension to anyone who has not lost a child. Despite the enormity of the trauma the parents experienced a remarkable peace causing the father to write these words.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea-billows rollWhatever my lot, Thou hast taught to say,It is well, it is well with my soul.Though Satan should buffet, Though trials should come,Let this blest assurance control,That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

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Christ’s LegacyThis is the meaning of the Christian's peace - not an absence of conflict, trial or disappointment but contentment and trust in God in spite of such circumstances. But it is not automatic. Jesus lays down two conditions in this passage.

First, the peace that Christ gives is for those who are "in him." That is those who remain in him -i.e. make him their permanent dwelling place. cf Chap. 15 which describes those who live in a conscious dependence on him.

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Two ConditionsStaying close to Jesus is the prerequisite to joy and fruitfulness in the Christian life. It is this that Jesus has in mind at the end of his discourse. He gives peace only by those who depend on him, trust him, and remain close to him as they live the Christian life.

Secondly, this understanding of being "in" Christ is reinforced by the next condition: that the ‘words’ of Christ remain in his followers. Jesus indicates this when he says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace" v33. What things are these?

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They are the doctrines outlined in this section of the Gospel. In summary:

1. The fact of Christ's love for the disciples. The condescending love illustrated by the foot-washing incident which pointed to an even greater act of condescending love – his death on the cross.

2. Secondly, Jesus spoke about heaven, saying that he was going to prepare a place for them and if he was going, he would return and take them to himself. What was new in this teaching was not the mere fact of heaven, but rather that Jesus would guarantee a personalised place in heaven for his followers.

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3. Thirdly, Jesus teaching about the coming of the Holy Spirit. This was a tremendously new thing, for although the Old Testament had much to say about the Spirit now the disciples were told that Christ would send the Spirit and that he would come to be in them and work through them.

4. Fourthly, Jesus spoke of a work entrusted to the disciples. He compared it with his own works and said theirs would be greater. He gave remarkable meaning to their lives.

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5. Fifthly, the Lord spoke about prayer and gave some of the most exciting promises in the Bible concerning it.

6. Finally, he adds a new piece of teaching in v33: "But take heart! I have overcome the world. " This is a great point to end on, the point of Christ's victory. How has he overcome the world? Despite all the temptations thrown at him he lived a sinless life 14v30, "The prince of this world has no hold on me". He overcame the world in death because that atoning death broke sin's hold on us. He overcame the world in his resurrection because by it he began his return to the great throne of heaven to reign on behalf of his people.

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These words of victory were spoken on the verge of seeming defeat. Do you believe them? Is Christ the victor? If you do believe then stand with him in his victory. You possess the unique peace that he dispenses, and in him you too will overcome the world.

Does the world seem to be against you? Does that matter if Christ is on your side? Do circumstances press in upon you? Jesus has overcome all circumstances. Stand with him then. He is the King. He is God over all, and he has bound himself indissolubly to his believing people. Hallelujah!

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Two Conditions