John 15:5–7 (WEL) “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you are asking me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 “But now that I told you these things, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 “But I am telling you the truth. It is better for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.”
V5 “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you are asking me, ‘Where are you going?’”
Jesus will return to His home once His mission is completed. He will return home to heaven and be seated at the right hand of God the Father in less than 1.5 months.
The disciples are probably afraid. Jesus has provided and protected them over 3 years. Plus, their hope for the earthly kingdom ruled by Messiah, Jesus, was to happen in their lifetime. Compare Acts 1:6–9.
V6 “But now that I told you these things, sorrow has filled your hearts.”
Note how Jesus recognizes their grief. He did not decree this grief; He created humans to have a grief that arises from themselves.
Principle: Be aware of others’ feelings.
Our Lord Jesus is sad because He has to leave them (He enjoys fellowship) and that they are sad.
Principle: Even if there is sorrow, we must always put God’s will first in our lives.
Principle: Sometimes sorrow comes from doing God’s will. Compare 1 Peter 1:6, Matthew 26:38–39, and Philippians 2:27.
V7 “But I am telling you the truth. It is better for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.
Jesus would like to stay with them for fellowship and care; nevertheless, He has a new mission after this mission as the Passover Lamb is completed.
Jesus’s mission now:
High Priest—Hebrews 4:14, 1 Timothy 2:5, and Hebrews 9:15.
Intercessor—Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, and Hebrews 2:17
Lord of the church—Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 4:15
(The Moody Handbook of Theology) Jesus took on humanity and suffered death on behalf of everyone (2:9). Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest who supplanted the Levitical priesthood (3:1). Jesus has entered heaven’s Holy of Holies and remains forever our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (6:20). He has also guaranteed and mediated a better covenant (7:22; 12:24), provided His blood whereby believers may enter the Holy of Holies (10:19), brought completion to faith (12:2), and fulfilled the Old Testament types in securing salvation (13:12).
We learn:
- About the awareness of Jesus for His disciples.
- The blessing of the Holy Spirit coming upon the church.
Questions:
- How aware are you of others’ feelings?
- How do you benefit from the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the church?