Gospel of John Devotional Guide #5: John 16:1-19:42

Monday: Read John 16:1-33

Jesus continues His extended speech to His disciples. He reminds them that they will indeed suffer as a result of their belief in Him. He tells them of this in order to keep them from stumbling (1). The idea is that when these things begin to happen, they will remember that Jesus had warned them (4). One could only imagine what it would have been like if Jesus did not warn them. The shock of losing their king—which they were not expecting to happen—would have been compounded by their own unexpected suffering. They surely would have been in a tailspin wondering if it were true and worth it. Thus, Jesus prepares them for this moment.

Jesus then continues to speak of the coming Spirit. Recall that the Spirit is central to the story of John’s Gospel. He has been anticipated in the water imagery throughout the early chapters (water to wine (2); rebirth of Nicodemus in water (3); water at the well (4); see: 7:37-39).

Jesus reiterates that it is for their good that he leaves because then the Holy Spirit will come (7). It is the Spirit that will comfort and equip them for ministry.

This passage closes with the reminder that in Christ they have “peace” but in the world they have tribulation (33). This summarizes well the nature of the present time for God’s people.

Questions to ponder/discuss:

• The Holy Spirit is central in the Gospel of John. Why do you suppose that the Holy Spirit often takes a back seat to Jesus in many churches?
• John 16 closes with a reminder of the conflict we encounter in living out the kingdom today. We have peace in Him and tribulation in the world.
  • If you are experiencing a period of tribulation, remember that this is what Jesus said would happen. Instead of allowing the tribulation to overwhelm you, perhaps you might focus on the peace that Christ promises to guide you through the time of tribulation.
  • Remember that Christ never asks us to endure tribulation and suffering on our own. We are members of one body and as such we are called to comfort, encourage, and support one another. I would encourage you to make sure that you are not facing tribulation alone. Find someone in the faith that can be by your side and journey together—and vice versa.

Tuesday: Read John 17:1-26

We refer to John 17 as “Jesus’ High Priestly prayer.” In this prayer, Jesus stresses that just as the Father and He are One, so also, He prays, “that they may be one” (11, 22). That the unity of the people of God corresponds to the unity of the Father and the Son (and we would assume the Holy Spirit too—even though it is not stated here) reminds us that our role as God’s people is to make the Father known!

All of this is creation language. Adam and Eve were made to be one (Gen 2:24). As they fulfilled God’s mission for them to multiply, rule, and subdue, they would bear God’s image. Since God is One, their unity would make known the One God. We know that story, of course. Adam and Eve fail to rule under God’s authority and instead attempt to usurp His authority. In doing so, they fall prey to the selfish and corrupting nature of power. And they were no longer one, but naked and ashamed (Gen 3:7).

Jesus’ prayer should be understood as the undoing of what Adam and Eve did in the garden. He is restoring humanity to its original intent of being unified and making known the One true God! Thus, He prays that they may be one! (11, 22).

In this prayer, Jesus begins by noting that He has fulfilled His mission of glorifying the Father through the work He was given to do (4). Now it is time for the Son to be given the glory with which He has had (5). And for the disciples to be empowered to carry forth that work.

Questions to ponder/discuss:

• It is crucial to understanding John and the NT to recognize that we have been called to be one with God and in doing so we reveal His glory! To read the Gospel of John, or the NT, as though it were about our personal salvation alone is to miss the purpose of the Gospel. We have been chosen by God and redeemed in order that we might be restored as His image-bearers as He intended. Make it your prayer today that God would help you recognize your role as a member of His kingdom and your missional responsibility in it.

Wednesday: Read John 18:1-27

John 18 and 19 highlight the incredible contrast between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world. Crucifixion was a prime example of Roman power and how the kingdoms of the world maintain power. Jesus’ dialogues with Pilate were meant to contrast the nature of power in each of the kingdoms.

In addition, the trial scene in John 18-19 also serves as an explanation of how Jesus could be the Messiah/Christ/King of the Jewish Scriptures and yet, “those who were His own did not receive Him” (1:11). By the end of the trial scenes, the Jewish authorities will conclude, “we have no king but Caesar” (19:16).

Questions to ponder/discuss:

• Once again, we must be reminded to not always have our “default” reading as though we are on “team Jesus.” We must learn to read the story as independent observers who are being called upon by the writer (John) to see the story and decide whose kingdom we wish to join. This may seem like an easy choice. “We choose Jesus’ kingdom.” But the contrast John provides (see tomorrow’s reading also) reminds us that the kingdoms of the world are far more appealing. After all, there is no suffering in those kingdoms. In Jesus’ kingdom, as we will see, love wins: but it is the kind of love that lays down its life for others. Are you truly willing to lay down your life for people such as Pilate, or the authorities that oppress you, or those whom you simply disrespect? Thank goodness the Holy Spirit equips us and empowers us to do so!

Thursday: Read John 18:28-19:16

Today’s reading isolates Jesus’ encounter with Pilate. Pilate represents Rome. Jesus fully affirms before Pilate that He is indeed a king! (36-37). In fact, Jesus says, this is what He was born for! (37). His kingdom, however, is “not of this world” (36).

(This claim has unfortunately been seriously misunderstood and has led to some rather unfortunate (I’m being nice) consequences.)

When Jesus says that His kingdom is not of this world, He does not mean that it is “spiritual” as opposed to physical. He is instead affirming the origin of His kingdom! One might say that Jesus’ kingdom is “for” this world, but it is not “from” this world.

The radical distinction between Jesus’ kingdom and the kingdoms of the world is that the world’s kingdoms come by force. Jesus, however, notes that His kingdom is different and that this is why His servants were not fighting to resist the authorities in order to gain His freedom (36). You might say: “we don’t do power like you.”

NT Wright summarizes well the nature of the showdown: “Jesus appears to be saying that the citizens of the wider world are at present under the rulership of a usurper, but that when he is lifted up that rule will be broken and his own saving and healing rule will take its place” (Wright, God in Public, 43).

Questions to ponder/discuss:

• Perhaps the most incredulous statement in human history is Pilate’s retort to Jesus, “what is truth” (38). The answer, ironically, is: “Jesus.” The very One who was staring right at him was the answer to his reply. How could he do so? Because Pilate, like us all, prefers a different kind of truth. We prefer a truth that allows us to decide for ourselves. This is what plagued Adam and Eve and it is the problem of human history. Do we decide truth for ourselves? Or do we allow God to be the determiner? If this sounds easy, then you are reading the question wrong. Perhaps we might begin each day with: “Lord, show me your truth today.”

Friday: Read John 19:17-42

There is a tradition regarding the “seven last words of Christ.” These are sayings taken from the Gospels (three of them come from today’s reading) and are compiled to provide a summary of Jesus’ words while dying. The list includes:

1. Luke 23:34: “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing”
2. Luke 23:43: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”
3. John 19:27: “Woman, behold your son.” “Behold, your mother”
4. Mark 15:34 “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (cf Ps 22:1)
5. John 19:28: “I am Thirsty” (cf Ps 69:21)
6. John 19:30: “It is finished”
7. Luke 23:46: Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” (cf Ps 31:5)

What is so amazing about these sayings is Jesus’ concern for the other. When we consider that crucifixions were known as one of the worst ways to suffer death (note: excruciating is a Latin term manufactured in order to describe the suffering one experiences on the cross: ex: “out of”; and crux: “the cross”), and then we see Jesus’ words focused so much on others, we should pause.

Perhaps one of the climactic moments in the Gospel of John is when they pierce His side and blood and water come out (34). This is John’s affirmation that Jesus is the eschatological temple from which the river of life flows (see: John 4:10; 7:37-39; cf Ezek 47:1-12).

That Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus provide Jesus with a proper burial (something the women did not know for certain because they were being cautious and were unable to see inside the tomb) provides the counter to the authority’s ironic claim, “No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?” (7:48). Yep, Joe and Nick believed!

Questions to ponder/discuss:

• It is one thing to be willing to suffer for Jesus. It is another to suffer well. What are your thoughts on Christians in your community and their willingness to suffer well? How are you doing when it comes to suffering well?

our goal is to keep these posts free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

Please share this post and let others know about determinetruth.

If you wish to view this blog on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app simply download the “tithe.ly church” app on your smartphone and insert “determinetruth” as the church name you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, simply click on the “blog” icon and it will automatically load. 

If you would like to have Rob speak at your church or organization in person or via zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact me tab on this site.

[1] This guide is meant to be done either as a group study over the course of 2 or 4 meetings (Day 1-5; 6-10; 11-15; 16-20) or as a private devotion over the course of 4 weeks (or a calendar month—5 lessons per week).