Chapter 8.

The “Last Supper”,

After Judas Left

 

 

Jesus Revealed Some Blessings

His Faithful Apostles Will Receive

At His Second Coming.

 

After faithless Judas left the Upper Room, Jesus voiced  some of the blessings His faithful Apostles will receive when He takes charge of planet Earth.  He will put each of them in charge of a portion of His Kingdom.  They will eat and drink at His royal table.  And, each of them will rule over one of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Luke 22:28-30)

 

 

 

Jesus Warned Peter,

“Your Faith Will Be Tested, Soon.”

 

We think of Peter as the bulwark of the early “Church  Age”, and so he was.  But, he crumpled and cried as he denied any association with Christ when Christ was on trial.  After the Resurrection, Peter was a changed man.  His faith enabled him to stand against the wiles of the Devil and corrupt Jewish leaders.  Knowing what was coming ...

... the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  (Luke 22:31-32)

Here, in the KJV Bible, Jesus says, “[Peter] when thou art converted ...” which has led some to think that Peter wasn’t a believer before the Resurrection.  Surely, that’s not true.  The New Living Translation presents Jesus’ words in a less controversial tone.

... I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.

Yes, Peter denied Christ 3 times, but as Jesus indicated, his faith did not fail.  He repented of his sinful behavior and became a strong, Christian leader.  Simply put: Even great Christians fall into errors.

 

Also note: Jesus said, “Peter, Satan wants to sift you like wheat.”  Ancient farmers sifted their grains.  Broken kernels and small kernels fell through the screen.  The best kernels remained on  top.  They were sown in the next planting season.  Using this metaphor, Jesus warned, “Peter, Satan wants to separate you from the Apostolic team.”  Satan had pulled Judas down.  Similarly, he wanted to ruin Peter.

 

 

 

Peter Proclaimed

His Allegiance To Christ.

 

Peter defended himself vehemently.

... he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 

(Luke 22:33)

 

 

 

Jesus Insisted,

“You Will Deny Me 3 Times.”

 

Jesus responded.

... he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.  (Luke 22:34)

 

 

 

Jesus Declared,

“You Disciples Must Adapt.

Your World Will Be Changing.”

 

Jesus knew that the Holy Land would be a turbulent place for the next 40 years.  Rome would be sending in vast armies to quell repeated Jewish rebellions.  In A.D. 70, Jerusalem would be sacked, and the Romans would gather up every Jew they could find and sell them into slavery in other lands.  No longer would His followers be free to walk from village to village preaching the Gospel.

... he said unto them, When I sent you without purse [knapsack], and scrip [money], and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me ... 

(Luke 22:35-37a)

The phrase, “this that is written”, refers to Isaiah 53:12.  Jesus gave His disciples a preview of His Crucifixion by calling to their minds a well-known, Old Testament verse that prefigured His sacrificial death on the Cross.  The verse predicted, He would be killed, He would be “numbered” with transgressors (2 were crucified with Him), and He would bear the sins of many.  Isaiah, speaking as if he had just witnessed the Crucifixion, said ...

... he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Jesus continued speaking, alluding to this famous verse from Isaiah, saying ...

... he [Jesus] was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me [Jesus] have an end.  (Luke 22:37b)

Not fully grasping what Jesus was saying, the Apostles reached back to Jesus’ comment about swords.

... they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.  (Luke 22:38)

That night, as we shall see, only 1 sword was used.

 

 

 

Next, Jesus Voiced Many Of

His Most Memorable Teachings.

 

 

Wither I go

you cannot come ... now.

 

John has Jesus saying ...

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.  (John 13:33)

 

 

Love one another.

 

Jesus said ...

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  (John 13:34-35)

 

 

Someday, you will follow Me

into Heaven.

 

John states ...

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.  (John 13:36)

 

 

Peter, as I said earlier,

you will deny Me thrice.

 

Again, Peter professed his loyalty to Christ.  He had said earlier that he was willing to go to prison with Jesus or even to die for Him.  But, Jesus knew Peter’s bravado would melt later that night.

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.  (John 13:37-38)

 

 

In My Father’s House

Are Many Mansions.

 

Jesus said, “I am going to My Father’s House.  I will prepare a splendid place for you and come again and take you there to be with Me.”

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (John 14:1-3)

 

 

I am “The Way,

The Only Way.”

 

Thomas’ mind was fixed on the physical.  He wanted a map, showing where Jesus was going.  But, Jesus made  him see that the way to Heaven is a spiritual journey.  He stated, “You know Me, so you know the Father, so you won’t miss Heaven.  When your life’s work is ended, I’ll receive you into glory.”

... whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.  (John 14:4-7)

 

 

I am in the Father.

The Father is in Me.

 

Philip said, “Show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”  Jesus insisted, “I and my Father are One.  He is in Me.  He works the miracles.  He speaks the words.  You have seen Me, so you have seen the Father.”

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.  (John 14:8-11)

 

 

My followers will do

greater works than I have done.

 

Jesus ministered in 1 small country for 3 and 1/2 years.  He did many miracles, but as He predicted, His followers have done more.  Millions have been ministering for thousands of years worldwide, invoking His miraculous powers through prayers in His Name.  Jesus stated ...

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  (John 14:12)

 

 

If you pray in My Name,

I will do it.

 

Jesus said ...

... whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  (John 14:13-14)

 

 

Keep My commandments.

 

Jesus pointed to His commandments: Love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbor as you love yourself.  He said ...

If ye love me, keep my commandments.  (John 14:15)

 

 

Soon, the Comforter will come.

 

Unlike us, God has 3 personalities.  He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Apostles had lived with Jesus, the Son, for 3 and 1/2 years.  But soon, He would be returning to Heaven.  This could leave an enormous void in their lives.  But, the Triune God had a wonderful plan to fill that void.  God would be placing the Holy Spirit in each of the Apostles and into every soul that would join the New Testament Church, which would form after Christ’s Resurrection. 

 

The Holy Spirit has many names: “Holy Ghost”, “Spirit of God”, “Inner Light”, etcetera.  That night, Jesus called Him the “Comforter” and the “Spirit of Truth”.  He declared, “This Spirit will dwell in you forever; here on Earth and even in Heaven.  He will comfort you when the world buffets you.  He will lead you into all truth.”

... I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  (John 14:16-18)

 

 

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit

are One.

 

Jesus knew that the “Comforter” would take up residence in His followers on the upcoming “Day of Pentecost”.  Yes, on “that day”, physically, He would be residing in Heaven, but since He and the Holy Spirit are One, He would, also, be spiritually residing within His disciples.  Jesus said ...

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

(John 14:19-20)

By the phrase, “ye in me”, Jesus meant that from the ensuing “Day of Pentecost” forward, His followers would be in the New Testament Church, also known as the “Body of Christ” in many New Testament passages.

 

 

Unbelievers will know nothing

of the Holy Spirit.

 

Each believer loves Jesus and His teachings.  He will strive to keep Christ’s commandments.  Therefore, Jesus explained, “We, the Father, Son and Spirit, will ‘make our abode’ with him.”  So, Christians will have an invisible Guide within them.  Unbelievers will lack this blessing.  Jesus said ...

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.  (John 14:21-24)

 

 

The Holy Spirit will be

your Teacher.

 

Jesus said ...

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  (John 14:25-26)

 

 

Having the Holy Spirit within,

you will live without fear.

 

Jesus said ...

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (John 14:27)

 

 

I’m leaving,

but I’m coming back someday.

 

Jesus implied, “You should be happy to see me go back to Heaven.  It will be better for you.  You and your fellow believers will be dispersed throughout the world.  If I were to remain on Earth, I could not keep close to every one of you.  But, the Holy Spirit will be within every single believer, wherever they may go.  And, never forget, in the End-Tine I will come again.”

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.  (John 14:28-29)

The phrase above, “My Father is greater than I”, has engendered some quarrels among Bible students.  We believe that the Father, Son and Spirit are co-equal.  So, what does this statement mean?  We must remember that Jesus said these words while He was on the Earth in human form.  And, Philippians 2:5-9 informs us that the Son of God emptied himself of some of His divine attributes when He became Jesus.  So, when Jesus said, “My Father is greater than I,” He was referring to His status before He returned to Heaven.  When He returned He regained all of His divinity.  As Philippians says in the passage quoted below, after Jesus ascended to Heaven, “God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names.”  Paul says ...

You [Christians] must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,  (Philippians 2:5-9 NLT)

 

 

Men, let’s stand.

I have a little more to say.

Then we’ll close

with a prayer and a hymn.

 

Jesus was thinking, “I don’t have time to say much more.  Satan and Judas and the Temple police will soon look for me in the Garden of Gethsemane.  We must go there soon.  Satan thinks he has orchestrated a great victory.  Actually, he has no power over me.  The Father has given me a mission.  Voluntarily, I am about to be Crucified to erase the sins of all believers of all times.  Satan will be defeated.” 

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. 

(John 14:30-31)

 

 

I am the Vine.

You are the branches.

 

Jesus knew that after His Resurrection the New Testament Church would arise.  He likened it to a vibrant vine with fruitful branches.  He said, “Branches that  produce no fruit will be cut off and destroyed.  Even fruitful branches will be pruned, so that they will become even more fruitful.  The key to producing fruit is to ‘abide in Me’.  Do not mimic the many so-called ‘branches’ of the Church that pull away from the Vine to pursue false teachings and fads.  If you abide in Me, I will abide in you.”

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  (John 15:1-8)

 

 

Keep My commandments,

abide in My love,

and you will be full of joy.

 

Christians should be full of joy.  Jesus taught, “Joy fills those who keep My commandments and abide in Me.”

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  (John 15:9-11)

 

 

Lay down your lives

for your friends.

 

Christians must lay down their lives for one another.  Jesus did so when He erased our sin-debts by dying for us on Calvary.  And, we do so when we use our talents, energy and money to serve our Christian friends.  Jesus said ...

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  (John 15:12-13)

 

 

You are My friends.

 

You have friends.  But, when the One who created the Universe and fashioned you in your mother’s womb says, “You are My friend,” that is friendship on a higher plane.  It’s infinitely beyond friendship with a celebrity, a king, or anyone.  Its value cannot be measured.

 

Friendships must be maintained by both parties to the relationship.  Christians must “do whatsoever” the Lord has commanded.  In the Scriptures, Jesus tells us everything the Triune God would have us to know and to do.  Jesus continued ...

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  (John 15:14-15)

 

 

I have chosen you men

to produce fruit.

Don’t compete, Cooperate.

 

Jesus had carefully chosen each of His Apostles.  He wanted them to turn the world “upside down” (Acts 17:6).  They were to form the New Testament Church and take the Gospel worldwide.  He wanted them to produce saved souls and to teach those souls to pray, believing their requests would be granted.  He did not want them arguing about who was the greatest.  He wanted them to love and support one another.  He sais ...

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.  (John 15:16-17)

 

 

The world will hate you.

 

The world hates true Christianity.  It will tolerate a thin veneer of Christian expression.  You can recite the Golden Rule or phrases like “Judge not, lest ye be judged” and receive approbation, but if you evangelize by quoting Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6), the world will attack you vigorously.  Why does the world hate us so?  Jesus said it is because they know not the Father who sent the Messiah.  He continued ...

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not  greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause (Psalms 35:19 and 69:4). 

(John 15:18-25)

Some are troubled by 2 statements in this set of verses: Jesus said, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin,” and, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin.”  Now, we know that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), so we must conclude that Jesus meant, “If they had never heard me preach the Gospel, they would not be guilty of the sin of having rejected My sermons,” and, “If they had never seen the miracles I have done, they would not be guilty of the sin of having denied that these miracles prove I am divine.”  However, had they never sinned in these 2 specific ways, they would have sinned in many other ways.  These verses do not bolster the crazy claim of some, “If we refrain from telling the heathen about Jesus, they will have no sin.”  Remember, Jesus urged, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15   NLT  )

 

Also, the verses above contain an encouraging phrase.  Jesus said, “if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”  Often, we fear we have been awkward in our witnessing to unbelievers.  But, Jesus told His Apostles, “If they would have been saved by My sermons, they will be saved by your words.”  And, we believe this promise applies to the witnessing we Christians do today.

 

 

The Comforter

will empower you to witness

to the world.

 

Jesus said, “The Comforter will come and dwell in each of you and every member of the New Testament Church.  He is the ‘Spirit of Truth’.  He will help you testify of all that you have seen and heard.”

... when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.  (John 15:26-27)

 

 

I’ve told you these things because

I’m leaving and

the Comforter is coming.

 

Jesus said, “I want you to know what is happening.  Don’t pull back when tough times come.  Till now, I have been with you to protect you.  I’m leaving, but the Holy Spirit will reside in you, comfort you, guide you, and guard you.”

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

(John 16:1-4)

 

 

It is good that I go away.

 

The Apostles would be going separate ways as the Holy Spirit directed the growth of the early Church.  If Jesus were to remain on Earth, He would not be able to accompany each of them.  But, the Holy Spirit would soon be abiding in each of them, guiding them.  This new arrangement would be better for the Apostles and for the expanding New Testament Church.  Jesus explained ...

... now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  (John 16:5-7)

 

 

The Comforter

will adjure the world

of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

 

Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit will confront the worldly.  He will convince them that they are guilty of sin and headed to Hell, because they don’t believe in Me.  And, since I will be with the Father in Heaven, the Spirit will take on the duty of thoroughly explaining  righteousness to the worldly, speaking through the believers He indwells.  And also, through believers, He will solemnly speak of the Judgment to come, using Satan’s future exile to Hell as a picture of the coming fate of all lost souls.”

... when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

(John 16:8-11)

 

 

The Holy Spirit

will guide you into all truth.

 

The Spirit is a wondrous aspect of God.  He abides in every believer forever, while they are on Earth and, later, when they are in Heaven.  Simultaneously, He is continually involved in the conversations of the Trinity in the Throne Room of Heaven.  He takes thoughts from the lips of the Father and the Son and reveals them to believers.  He shows believers things to come, and He glorifies Christ.  Jesus disclosed ...

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.  (John 16:12-15)

 

 

My impending, brief absence

will bring sorrow.

My return will bring joy.

 

Jesus knew He would soon be arrested, crucified, and buried.  He would be in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights.  The Apostles would be distraught and sorrowful until He revealed Himself as the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday.  Then, rejoicing would ensue, and this joy would endure.  Christians are still rejoicing today.  Jesus said ...

A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me,

[??? because I go to the Father ???]. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.  Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.  (John 16:16-22)

One phrase in this passage is omitted in modern translations of the Bible, because it is not in the best source manuscripts of the Gospel of John.  It is the phrase “because I go to the Father” in verse 16 of the King James Version of the Bible.  Having this phrase in verse 16 implies that Jesus would go to Heaven to meet with the Father during the 72 hours His body would lay lifeless in the tomb.  But, that cannot be true.  On Easter morning Jesus told Mary Magdalene that He had not yet ascended to the Father (John 20:17).  So, it is proper to leave the phrase out of verse 16.

 

However, the same phrase is found in verse 17 of all Bible translations.  And, this is reasonable.  Verse 17 has the Apostles discussing various statements  Jesus had made during the evening; statements they had found confusing.  One of these was the phrase, “because I go to the Father”.  They were not sure what Jesus meant by that assertion.  They pondered, “When and how would He do that?”  Later, we will see Jesus went to the Father on Easter Sunday.

 

 

From now on,

ask the Father to meet your needs

in My name.

 

Jesus said, “After I return to My Father, address your prayers to Him in My name.”

... in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

(John 16:23-24)

 

 

From now on,

I will speak to you

through the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus said, “You have heard My Parables and Proverbs.  But, in the coming ‘Age of the Holy Spirit’, I will speak to you plainly, sending Messages to you from Myself and the Father through the Holy Spirit.”

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.  (John 16:25)

 

 

Pray directly to the Father.

I won’t need to intervene.

He loves you.

 

Jesus said, “You should pray in My name.  But, I will not need to recast your prayers to the Father.  He loves you.  He cares for you.”

At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.  (John 16:26-27)

 

 

I know you men are faithful,

but soon,

you will be scattered.

 

Jesus said, “I am leaving this world and going to My Father.  I know you are all full of faith, but very soon, your faith will be tested, and you will be scattered, leaving Me on My own.”

I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.  Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask [cross-examine] thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 

(John 16:28-32)

 

 

In this world,

you will have troubles.

Rejoice, I have overcome the world!

 

Jesus said, “I want you to have peace.  In the coming hour of trouble and in all future times of testing, remember, I have overcome the world.  Your ultimate future is bright.  Be of good cheer.”

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

 

 

 

Jesus Continued.

 

Still standing with His Apostles, on the verge of departing for the Garden of Gethsemane ...

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said ...  (John 17:1a)

 

 

Father, glorify Your Son!

 

Jesus declared, “Men, the Lord God is One Essence with 3 personalities.  When the Father glorifies Me, He is glorified too.  When I glorify the Spirit, I am glorified too.  Now I pray, Father glorify Your Son.  You have given Me power over all mankind; power to give eternal life to those who know You and Me.  And, to actuate this power, I will die to erase the sins of all believers of all times.  Father, give back to me the glory I had when I was with You before the world was formed.  I have finished discipling My Apostles.”

Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.  (John 17:1b-5)

 

 

Father, these men know

You sent Me.

 

Jesus continued, “I have given them the Words which You have given Me, and they have believed them.”

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.  (John 17:6-8)

 

 

Father, give these men

unity with one another,

with You, and

with Me.

 

Jesus added, “Father, these men are Yours, and since we are One, they are Mine.  I am coming back to Heaven.  Keep them focused and unified as they take the Gospel to the world and glorify Me.  Through the Spirit, we will abide in them.  Make us all One.”

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.  (John 17:9-11)

 

 

Father, keep these men safe.

 

Jesus prayed, “I have kept them safe, but now I am leaving this world.  I have given them Your Word.  They are ready to evangelize.  Even though the worldly will hate their message and persecute them, give them an inner joy, and keep them safe from evil-doers.”

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  (John 17:12-15)

 

 

I will sanctify Myself,

 so that these men may be sanctified.

 

Jesus declared, “I will set Myself apart from all mankind for the holy purpose of becoming the Ultimate Sin-Sacrifice for all believers of all times.  I will take upon Myself all the sins of all these believers.  I will shed My blood for the remission of their sins.  Thus, all believers will be sanctified and made sin-free, including these, My Apostles.  They are not worldly men.  They will be further sanctified by studying Your Scriptures, and they will take Your Word to the world.”

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 

(John 17:16-19)

 

 

Father, I pray that

all who become Christians

will be One.

 

Jesus added, “As You are in Me, and I in You, Lord, I pray that all those who come to faith through the preaching of these, My Apostles, will be One.  They will all have the Spirit abiding in them.  May we all be One.  And, as One Entity may we convince the world that You sent Me into the world to save sinners.  The glory You gave Me when I came into the world I have given to My Apostles that the world will believe their testimony.”

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  (John 17:20-23)

 

 

Father, I long to have

all the souls You give Me

come to Heaven and experience its glory.

 

Jesus stated, “Father, I have explained Your nature to My disciples, and through them I will declare it to the world.  The love You have for Me will be in them, and in unison with the Holy Spirit, You and I will be in them.”

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.  (John 17:24-26)

 

 

 

Jesus And the Apostles

Sang a Closing Hymn

And Departed.

 

Having finished His closing prayer, with His Apostles on their feet ready to depart, Jesus led the men in the singing of a closing hymn, and then, they followed Him to the Garden of Gethsemane.

... when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  (Matthew 26:30)

Mark says ...

... when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  (Mark 14:26)

Luke discloses ...

... he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.  (Luke 22:39)

And, John relates ...

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.  (John 18:1)