After Jesus and His disciples celebrated Passover – which we know as the Last Supper – they headed to the Garden of Gethsemane, one of Jesus’ frequent places of prayer. Jesus had just washed their feet, told them that one of them would betray Him, and that Peter would deny Him … three times … before morning! I don’t think they really understood … at all.
In the gospel of John, chapters 14 to 17, Jesus begins to give them some last thoughts, to encourage and strengthen them. If I were Peter, my mind would still be in disbelief that I could ever deny Jesus.
I love these chapters. Jesus says:
- Do not be troubled
- The world will hate you like it hates me, and
- I’m going to prepare a place for you.
But all the disciples were really hearing is that Jesus is leaving … and they cannot go with Him. Jesus also tells them that He will not leave them as orphans … abandoned, helpless, unprotected… but that He will send them the Helper, the Spirit of Truth. They weren’t too sure who or what that was… but it wouldn’t be the same as having Jesus with them. Then Jesus says:
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (John 16: 6-8)
I looked up the Greek word for “convict” and it is also translated as reprove, rebuke or convince. So, the Holy Spirit is going to convince the world of SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUDGMENT. I can hear many people going “Yeah, God! Amen!” That has been the message I’ve been hearing in church for years. Hopefully, the world will hear and listen!
The message of many Jesus-loving churches is just this.
- All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
- For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Cor 5:21)
- And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:27)
- But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)
This a good … and essential … message. No one is good enough to spend eternity with God. No one! Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness (right standing with God.) And for those who have chosen to follow Jesus, “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thessalonians 5:9)
Yes and Amen! Thank you, Jesus!
But… is this the convincing of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was talking about? Let’s go back to the words of Jesus.
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (John 16: 6-8)
In the next verses, Jesus explains what He is talking about.
…concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:9-11)
Jesus did NOT say, “Concerning sin because they do awful things, hurt each other, break my commandments…. Concerning righteousness because without Me, no one is righteous, and concerning judgment, because everyone will be judged guilty without Me.”
Tomorrow we’ll explore what JESUS and HOLY SPIRIT want us to know about sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Holy Spirit,
Jesus said
You will help us
Understand.
Please help us
to hear Your heart and
To know Your Truth
In our heart of hearts.
Amen.
Thank you! I needed this.?