Jesus knows that His disciples are crushed at the idea of His leaving them. But He tells them that His going, hard though it may seem at the time, is actually for their good. They will find that it is not a loss but a gain.If Christ had not died, risen again, and ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit could

Jesus tells His disciples what they can expect in the future. Instead of receiving them and their message with gratitude, the world will hate them, despitefully use them, and put them to death. And worst of all, their persecutors will actually persuade themselves that it is right to persecute them! The book of Acts shows this prophecy coming true. We

The Jews of Jesus’ day have seen Christ’s works and heard Christ’s teaching and yet are unbelieving. What more can be done for them? Nothing - absolutely nothing! They have willfully sinned against God and are of all men most guilty. Christian privileges are a dangerous thing. If they do not help us toward heaven, they will only sink us

Christ is contrasting Christian love with the hatred of the world. He is telling the disciples that they can expect to meet hatred and persecution in this world. If they are looking for kindness and gratitude from man, they will be disappointed. They will be treated like their Master. Down through history Christians have been persecuted. Ridicule, mockery, slander, misrepresentation,

Jesus wants us to know that we can’t think too highly of love, attach too much weight to it, or work too hard to practice it. He commands us to love one another. He is the example of love that we are to follow. All are to be loved with an active, self-denying, self-sacrificing love. He that can’t or won’t

In some things Christians are alike. All feel their sins; all trust in Christ; all repent and try to be obedient. All have grace, and faith, and new hearts. But some are happier and holier Christians than others and have more influence on the world. Why? Well, the passage before us gives three clues.Christ promises power and success in prayer

The union between Christ and believers is very close. He is the Vine, we are the branches. In themselves believers have no life, or strength, or spiritual power. All that we have comes from Christ. We draw out of Jesus a continual supply of grace, help, and ability, just like the branch gets its life from the vine. We have

Peace is Christ’s special gift to His people. He seldom gives them money, easy times, or earthly prosperity. Inward peace of conscience, coming from a sense of forgiven sin and reconciliation with God, is a far greater blessing. This peace is the inheritance of all believers, whether rich or poor. The peace which Christ gives is especially His own to

Keeping Christ’s commandments is the best test of love to Christ. It isn’t talking about Christ, but doing His will and walking in His way, that is the proof of our being true believers. Good feelings and desires are useless if they are not accompanied by action. Living and doing well are the only real evidence of grace. Where the

Christ’s second coming is to be the comfort of believers. In a sense we are orphans until Christ comes again. Our best things are yet to come. Faith has yet to be exchanged for sight and hope for certainty. Our peace and joy are at present very imperfect: they are nothing compared to what we will have when Christ returns.