As I was reading this chapter in John, I thought about where Jesus and His disciples were, what time it was and what would happen next. It made the words come alive for me in a new way because setting does matter. Since these words of Jesus were spoken for the benefit of all His disciples (which include those christians today who read John's gospel), it helps to put yourself in the sandals of the men who were there that night and were hearing these words first hand.
Jesus was leading His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane as the evening shadows began to fall. They had left the upper room where they had shared a supper meal with Jesus and were walking the streets of Jerusalem. As they walked, He talked to them about the vine and the branches, encouraged them to follow His commandment to love each other. He told them of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost who would help them. He tried to give them courage and some last minute teachings that they would need for the time ahead.
You can imagine the apprehension of these men as they listened to Jesus word's. He was very serious and they could probably sense the importance that this conversation had for Him. This night time walk through the city probably seemed ominous to them with the death threat of the Jewish leaders hanging over Jesus. Did they glance from side to side, keeping watch for temple officers lurking in the shadows? By now they are probably at the brook of Cedron (mentioned in chapter 18) on the east side of the temple before you get to the Mount of Olives. The garden they were heading for was just ahead on the western slope. Most of the commentaries I read felt that the group was probably paused on the Jerusalem side of the bridge for most of the conversation.
In verse 1 Jesus says that these things He has been speaking about were meant to keep them from being offended (the concordance suggests a better word is falling away or stumbling). He warns them that they will find themselves in major trouble soon because He says plainly now "I am going back to Him who sent me". He reminds them about the "Comforter" and explains that The Comforter has a big role to play, for He brings conviction of sin into the world, the offer of salvation (righteousness) and the warning of a Judgement day to come.
Jesus is very concerned for these men, He gives them a promise that, though their sorrow will be great, their Joy will be greater at His return. They don't really understand yet that He is talking about a return from the grave, but they are trying to take it all in. At the end of the chapter the disciples pledge their belief in Jesus: "We believe you came forth from God" (v. 30). He sadly warns them, as the evening shadows are closing in, that they will be scattered and will leave Him alone. But then He ends with Hope. He encourages them to "Take Heart!" Even though there is plenty of trouble ahead, He tells them to be at peace because He has overcome the world.(v.33)
As you imagine yourself in the group around Jesus, hearing these words, what are your thoughts and emotions? Are you thinking ahead to the end of the story like I was? I wondered what it would have felt like to be one of these frightened men, living through the terrible day that was to come and not knowing the joyful reunion that was around the corner. They must have been devastated. And what of the feelings of guilt and shame that would have hit them as they remained hidden after Jesus death? We all go through some tough times here on earth and we wonder how we will make it through. Sometimes we stumble, sometimes we fall. But, as christians, we have a "Comforter" who reminds us of Jesus' words "Take heart! I have overcome the world!"
.... or as my dad used to say "Buck up! Don't sweat the small stuff!" ...