WEEKLY SUNDAY
SCHOOL LESSON
An international
Sunday school lesson commentary
For
Sunday March 15, 2015
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readers worldwide
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THE
SPIRIT OF TRUTH
(Sadness
will be turned to joy because JESUS overcame the world)
(John
16:5-32)
The departure of JESUS was
necessary, no matter how painful it would be for HIS disciple. By now, they
were so wrapped up in their own depression and problems that, not even Thomas
cared to ask JESUS where it was that HE was going. They didn’t quite realize
how beneficial JESUS’ leaving would be for them, and, for the world at large.
For without HIS death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, there could be no
Gospel to preach and teach, or any atonement for sin, or, salvation. Furthermore,
the HOLY SPIRIT could not be released into the lives of believers for all time,
to help guide us and comfort us in our inevitable times of need.
The COMFORTER is the SPIRIT of GOD that was promised to us by the
ancient prophets, and now, JESUS HIMSELF. HE came to the world to stay and
abide in those who believed on CHRIST on the day of the original Pentecost. JESUS
informed us that the HOLY SPIRIT’s ministry would consist of reproving the
world of sin, righteousness, and, judgment.
Sin in the world, reached an all-time high with the crucifixion of
our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. And even today, our greatest sin continues
to be our unbelief in HIM (v.9). When the world crucified JESUS, we, in effect,
showed GOD that we thought HIS ONE and ONLY SON, was unrighteous. Righteousness
was vindicated with the resurrection and ascension of CHRIST, and now the HOLY
SPIRIT has come to convict us of our own faulty views of JESUS, and to inspire
us to proclaim the truth of HIS Gospel to the same kind of world that slew HIM,
way back in the first century on Calvary.
And finally, the HOLY SPIRIT’s convicting work is concerned with
judgment. The death and resurrection of CHRIST condemned satan, the prince of
this world, to eternal damnation. People, who are rebelling against GOD,
through sin, face the same defeat and judgment as satan has obtained. And just
as JESUS brought glory to GOD, so too, will the HOLY SPIRIT bring glory to
CHRIST JESUS.
In verses 16-32, JESUS’ private teachings to HIS disciples shift
from the subject of the HOLY SPIRIT and HIS future work, to what the immediate
future held for each of them individually, and, as a group. Verses 16-24 deals
mostly with the emotions of HIS disciples, as, at this point, they were in deep
sorrow, and, were also confused about some of JESUS’ sayings. They were also afraid
and really, in truth, were not having a particularly good night.
The phrase, “in a little while”, that is used by JESUS in this
passage was very confusing to this, now depressed, group of men. They wondered
among themselves just what JESUS meant by the parables HE was uttering. They
didn’t realize at the time that JESUS was speaking of returning immediately
after HIS crucifixion to minister to them, periodically, for an additional
forty days before HIS ascension back into Heaven. However, JESUS did not
clarify what HE meant, but chose instead, to let them come to understand what
HE meant, in the process of time.
GOD brings joy to our lives, not by substituting our trials and
pains, but rather, by our transformation and growth, from our trials and pain.
In John 16:21, JESUS gives just such an analogy to HIS disciples, as HE tries
to reassure them that their sorrow, brought on by the news of HIM leaving,
would soon be turned to joy over HIS return. Here HE likens their woeful
situation to that of a woman experiencing labor pains. At first, she suffers
with excruciating labor pain, and then, after birth is given, all of her pain
and anguish soon turns into joy over having brought a new life into the world.
With Christian joy, the pain that came before it is soon forgotten, and the new
feeling of the Christian experience can never be taken away, and in fact, to
the contrary, will last forever.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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