The Power of Three

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 Jesus tells his disciples that He is going to return to the Father.  They, understandably, had a hard time understanding what He meant by that. Where was He going? Why couldn’t they go with Him? What would happen to them? Jesus’ answer reveals an amazing truth: that not only would He be connected with them, but they would be connected with the Father, and the Holy Spirit would come and lead, guide and direct them as well. His leaving would leave them not alone, but rather empowered.

Scripture

(John 16:5-33 NIV)  ""Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

 16 "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me." 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and' Because I am going to the Father'?" 18 They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying." 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete

25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." 29 Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 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." 31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. 32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.""

Digging Deeper

1. Read John 16 carefully and note when Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit. Imagine that you were writing the Holy Spirit’s job description.  Based on what Jesus says (and also looking at the descriptions he gives of the Holy Spirit) what does the Holy Spirit do? Now look at the following passages and add those things to his “job description.” Mark 13:11; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:26; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; Romans 8:26-27; Acts 13:52 (see also Luke 10:21).
2. Some churches and believers emphasize the Holy Spirit and His work. Many do not. Why do you think this is true? How much should we think about the Holy Spirit and His working in us? When is the last time you thought about the Holy Spirit and His working in you? What does it look like when He does work in you?
3. Read John 16:31. Think about the disciples and their faith. Is this the first time they have declared their faith? (see John 6:66-69; Matthew 16:13-16) How strong is their faith? What does Jesus say about their future faith (John 16:32 – see also John 20:1-12). How does the shifting faith of the disciples encourage us in our faith? How did the disciples end their lives with respect to their faith (Acts 12:1-4; Revelation 1:9 – exiled to Patmos)? How does this give you hope for your future faith.