The Christian Online Magazine -
So many run from church to church, meeting to meeting, and ministry to ministry looking for a Word from the Lord. What are they actually looking for? In most cases, they want to hear something positive - something that will make them feel good. Does Jesus always operate this way? Are His words to His Church always "smooth" to the hearing?
John 16 recounts some of Jesus' words before His death, burial, and resurrection. Knowing the horror of what He was about to face as the Savior of the world and the tremendous effect it would have on His disciples, what kind of words did He speak to them? Were they words that were "smooth" to the hearing? Were they all uplifting and positive? Were they joy-popping and faith-inspiring as so many seek today?
In John 16:1, He begins His report as follows - "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended." In other words, He was forewarning His disciples of things to come so that they would not be shaken in their faith and stumble, fall away, or apostatize.
John 16:2-3 - He then proceeded to warn them of the evil treatment they would receive from others because of Him - "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."
Whoa! Wait a minute, Jesus! These words are not too nice! They are not very uplifting! They're not positive or "soothing to the ears." Can't You come up with something better than this? Where is Your Wisdom at this time? These "poor dears" are about to watch You die on the Cross, lose You for a time, and is this all You can say to them?
Being excommunicated from the assembly? Rejection, Ridicule, Ill-treatment, Scorn, Mockery, and maybe even death - and it will come from those in the Church? And to think that these individuals will think that God is giving them such religious zeal against His true servants!
What was the disciples' reaction to Jesus' words?
In John 16:6, He went on to say - "But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart."
Now, at this point, many would deny that the Lord ever spoke these words. Their "Jesus" would never cause such an effect. They would question - "Sorrow" filled your heart after a word from the Lord? Oh! come on! That ain't God! God doesn't speak this way. He always uplifts, encourages, and comforts His people.
Does He? Isn't Jesus "God manifested in the flesh"? And aren't these His words?
What was His response, after seeing that "sorrow" filled the disciples' hearts as a result of His words to them?
In John 16:7, He said - "Nevertheless I tell you the truth..."
Apparently, Jesus is more concerned that His followers receive the Truth than feel good. He knew that if He did not warn them of things to come, they would be devastated in their Faith and fall away.
In John 16:20, He continued His admonition - "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."
Here we have it! He was prophesying to them that before they ever got the "real joy," they would face great sorrow. The whole world would be laughing, carrying on, and having a "good ole time," but they would be weeping and lamenting.
John 16:32-33- To make matters worse, He then finishes His exhortation with these heartbreaking words - "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone...In the world ye shall have tribulation..."
Is this sheer insensitivity or what? Could these really be the words of the very Son of God?
No, they are not insensitivity! And yes, they are the very words of the Son of God - the actual Son of God - not the figment of so many's imagination.
Does Jesus still speak like this today?
Does He still warn His church of the horrible things that are about to come on the world because of Sin? Does He still rebuke people for their hypocritical and sinful ways?
Does He still speak Truth that pierces our hearts and cuts to the very core of our being?
Are His prophesies generally consisting of - "I love you, My children. I am so pleased with all of you. Just bring Me your praises"?(The typical "prophesy" coming forth in churches today.)
Or do they consist at times of words of rebuke, warning, conviction, and the desperate need for repentance?
We see in this particular passage of Scripture that the Lord Jesus is concerned about one thing and one thing alone in the lives of His church - the Truth!
John 16:7 - "Nevertheless I tell you the truth..."
No matter how negative and heartbreaking His words may be - He desires that we hear the Truth and only the Truth.
John 8:32 - For it is the Truth that will make us free - "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 16:33 - He desires that we live in His peace at all times and in every place - "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace..."
So many are driven at this hour. They are always irritated, unnerved, and agitated in their souls. They have no peace because they are running from the Word of the Lord.
No one ever enjoys true peace in their lives if they are running from the Truth! God's Peace and His Truth work hand-in-hand.
Many are "spiritual midgets" today because they are running from God's Word. They will not stay in one place long enough for the Holy Ghost to work on them with His cutting "Sword." As soon as they hear something negative, the devil has them convinced that it is not from God, so they flee to a "safe haven" where they will hear "beautiful," "lovely," "nice," "smooth," and "ear-tickling" messages.
The False Prophets of this day are crying out "Peace, peace...Prosperity, Prosperity..."
Jesus is warning of betrayal from so-called "brethren," rejection for His name's sake, excommunication from certain assemblies, sorrow, great trials and tribulation, and even death by those who will think that they "do God service."
What kind of words are you pursuing after?
Do you want to hear something positive, or do you want the Truth?
Your answer will determine on which side of the fence you will be found in the end. You will either be on the side of the persecutors or on the side of the persecuted.
Your answer will also determine if you will make it to the end.
Jesus' words may cause us sorrow today, but tomorrow they will bring Joy - everlasting Joy - the kind that the world didn't give, and the world can't take away.
John 16:7 - Let's never forget the Master's eternal words to us this day - "Nevertheless I tell you the truth..."
Let's determine to always be a people who seek for the Truth no matter how "piercing" it may be to our flesh!
Copyright 2003 by Connie Giordano
