Whispers of Joy After the Storm

Last week we considered the fifth and final passage on the person and workings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus outlined specific ways in which the “Spirit of truth” will come to their aid when He is gone. The key they needed to know is that Jesus will continue with them but through the inward teaching by the Spirit through guiding them “in all the truth” (John 16:13). Jesus, with the time He has left with them, now turns to describe the feelings that will surface over the next few moments and days. Jesus not only outlines the feelings of the disciples when He is betrayed and murdered on the cross, but also the emotions that they will see displayed in the world. Jesus wants them to realize that the very event that will produce deep hurt in their lives – His going away, will be transformed into the very basis for their abiding joy.