Easter Devotional, Week 2: Jesus' Relationship with Believers

Today’s Reading: John 16

In the final instructions given to His disciples in the upper room on the night before His crucifixion (John 13–16), Jesus promised that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples (14:15-17). He revealed that the Holy Spirit would be their Counselor (14:25-26). The Holy Spirit would testify about Jesus Christ and enable believers to testify also (15:26-27). The Spirit’s ministry to the world would be to convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment in His efforts to bring them to faith and salvation in Jesus Christ (16:5-15). The Holy Spirit would guide believers into all truth. Genuine spirituality involves growing in a personal knowledge of and experience with the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Only through the Spirit’s strength are we able to find the hope and confidence Jesus encourages at the close of this chapter with the words, “Take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

What are some of the many troubles you are currently facing (John 16:33)? How might coming to see these troubles as inevitable, predicted aspects of life change your approach to them when they come? How might Jesus’ follow-up statement, that He has overcome the world, enable you to “take heart” as He commands?

Memory Verses: John 13:34-35; John 15:4-5

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