The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning”, and in chapter sixteen and verse one of his book John shared how Jesus told His disciples, “these things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended”, where we read:
These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended.
The verse reads, “These things have I spoken unto you, ...” John began with the words, “these things” which means “the words of Jesus concerning people hating Him, His Father and His disciples as well as Jesus sending the Comforter to help them” “have I spoken unto you” or “have I, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed to you, disciples of Jesus” for the following reason. John shared how Jesus shared His words about people “hating Him and them” and sending the “Holy Spirit” to guide them for the following reason.
The verse continues, “... that you should not be offended.” John added the words, “that you should not be” which means “so you, disciples of Jesus, will not in any way exists as” “offended” or “stumbled, impeded and tripped as if to fall”. John shared how Jesus said He told them “these things” so they would not be “stumbled or tripped up” when “persecution and hatred” happens to them.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus was protecting His disciples from the “persecution and hatred” that was certain to come their way. We should remember the chapters and verses in the Bible were inserted by people so easier access to certain passages could be made, and this verse is a continuation of Jesus' words in our previous chapter. Jesus had a reason for giving His “Holy Spirit, the Comforter” to His disciples because they would soon be in need of His presence to guide them through perilous times to come. God loves people, and He desires to care for them through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus. When they yield their lives to Jesus, they put themselves in the best care that may ever be found for all eternity, and those who are wise surrender themselves to the only One who can forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with God.
Next time we see John share how Jesus tells His disciples, “they shall put you out of the synagogues”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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