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Be Prepared to Suffer (John 16:1-11)

 Jesus knows that if he tells the apostles all these things, they will have more courage to face the persecution that will come from the authorities. Sometimes, we react poorly in times of struggle because we are surprised.

Jesus tells them that they will be kicked out of the synagogues. He is reminding them that faith in him will change the practice of their faith in such a way that it is a new faith.

There is a time and place to tell things, and Jesus thought that while he was still there to care for them and teach them, it wouldn't be the best time to tell them everything. Of course, they would be sad; that's only natural. He tells them he needs to go away, so that the Holy Spirit will come to them. It will be the Holy Spirit who now teaches and cares for them, and indeed, the whole Church.

The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces, with regard to sin. Jesus says that the leadership has sinned in rejecting him. He will go to the Father to fulfill the Father's plan of righteousness. When he does, Satan will be defeated. Sometimes, it hardly seems that Satan has been defeated, but if we trust in Jesus, we can be God's instruments in overcoming evil.

It is very difficult to wait on the promises of God. We might think that it isn't worth it. These words of Jesus are for us. Jesus doesn't want us to fall away, either. Jesus and the Holy Spirit speak to us with tenderness, especially when we are tempted to give up.

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