5 But now I am going to him who sent
me,
and none of you asks me, ’Where are you
going?’
6 But because I have told you these
things, sorrow has filled your heart.
9 about sin, because they don’t believe in me;12 "I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
10 about righteousness, because I am going to my Father,
and you won’t see me any more;
11 about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another,19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them,
"What is this that he says to us, ’A little while, and you won’t see me,
and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ’Because I go to the Father?’"
18 They said therefore, "What is this that he says, ’
A little while?’ We don’t know what he is saying."
20 Most assuredly I tell you,29 His disciples said to him,
that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.
You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow,
because her time has come.
But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more,
for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again,
and your heart will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.23 "In that day you will ask me no questions.
Most assuredly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name.
Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech.
But the time is coming
when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech,
but will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name;
and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you,
27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me,
and have believed that I came forth from God.
28 I came out from the Father, and have come into the world.
Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."
31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now
believe?
32 Behold, the time is coming, yes,
and has now come, that you will be scattered,
everyone to his own place, and you will
leave me alone.
Yet I am not alone, because the Father
is with me.
33 I have told you these things,
that in me you may have peace.
In the world you have oppression; but cheer
up! I have overcome the world."
Just as the Jews who killed Jesus thought they were offering service to God, so also today as Muslims kill Christians. But even within Christianity there are wolves who ostracize legitimate believers from the Christian community such as Diotrephes of 3John. You may be thrown out of churches, or shunned for preaching the truth. But if these things have not been your experience then have you been walking as Christ walked?
vs 7-14 No one at this point had received the Holy Spirit, for it is written that, "the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified." John 7:39 The provision of the Holy Spirit given to Christians since Pentecost was unique to the New Covenant.
A role of the Holy Spirit Jesus mentions here is bring conviction to the world. The development of convictions is necessary in the development of salvific faith.
First he develops conviction about sin. And this we see as a pattern in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. Before the good news comes the bad news. They convict people of sin. And even in Romans we see this pattern as the first two and a half chapters are devoted to convicting people of their sin.
Secondly he convicts the world of righteousness. The concept of righteousness is to be right in the eyes of God. And again Romans systematically deals with this, speaking first as Jesus did of the righteousness of the Law and contrasting it with the righteousness given by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Thirdly he convicts the world of judgment. Though today Christians may avoid the subject of hell, being overly concerned about "turning people off", and even avoid judging other Christians (contrary to 1Corinthians 5:9-13) yet this subject is central to the gospel message. If you're not preaching judgment you're not preaching the gospel. But concerning judgment there is not only condemnation, but also a judgment for rewards for the righteous.
Thus evangelism is a synergistic process not only between the non-Christian and the Holy Spirit, but also a synergistic process between the Christian evangelist and the Holy Spirit in communicating the gospel.
The Holy Spirit guides us in all matters of truth. John also writes in 1John 2:27 "As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him."
vs 15-28 These chapters are devoted to preparing the disciples for his departure. This section focusses on their emotions. He is concerned they will feel abandoned. Remember Jesus himself while on the cross quoting Psalm 22 "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?", reflecting the sense of abandonment experienced by all who face tribulation. But here Jesus leaves them with words of encouragement and hope in anticipation of his return. And it seems another purpose of answering prayers Jesus mentions here is simply to encourage the believers.
vs 25 confirms the sense in which Jesus has been speaking to be allegorical in most cases. His plain speech is reflected in the New Testament letters in which he speaks through the apostles quite directly and clearly which partly represents the intimacy obtained in the New Covenant not previously experienced.
vs 31-33 Not only his promises of the Spirit and answers to prayer and the continuity of God's love would be a comfort to them through this troubling time, but also the very fact that he foreknows their abandoning him. He foreknows it, but he doesn't condemn them for it.