Today's scripture: John 16:1-6
Jesus was a wonderful communicator, and He taught His followers well. He taught them how to love each other, how to give, how to live. Yet, he didn't stop with those things that would make them "feel good." He was very clear about what it would mean to follow Him. It would be difficult—and possibly would cost them their lives. They might be outcasts. They might be persecuted. One of my favorite commentaries states:
Our Lord Jesus, by giving his disciples notice of trouble, designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them. It is possible for those who are real enemies to God's service, to pretend zeal for it. This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors; villanies will never be changed by putting the name of God to them. As Jesus in his sufferings, so his followers in theirs, should look to the fulfilling of Scripture. He did not tell them sooner, because he was with them to teach, guide, and comfort them; they needed not then this promise of the Holy Spirit's presence ... Nothing more hinders our joy in God, than the love of the world, and the sorrow of the world which comes from it. (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible)Jesus wanted His followers—and us—to know Him. He wanted us to know what it means to follow Him. He wanted us to know the joy of a relationship with Him, but He also wanted us to know how we might suffer.
Nothing should take us by surprise, neither the blessings nor the curses. Jesus loved us enough to assure us of the first—and warn us of the second.
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