“WOW”! “DO YOU NOT BELIEVE?” 

OPENING COMMENT by Robert 

The following words are taken from Matthew Henry’s commentary on John 16:28-33.  

Yeshua’s Discoveries of Himself! 

I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. John 16:28 

A plain declaration of Christ’s mission from the Father, and his return to him (John 16:28): I came forth from the Father, and am come, as you see, into the world. Again, I leave the world, as you will see shortly, and go to the Father. This is the conclusion of the whole matter. There was nothing he had more inculcated upon them than these two things–whence he came, and whither he went, the Alpha and Omega of the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16), that the Redeemer, in his entrance, was God manifest in the flesh, and in his exit was received up into glory. 

There is an admirable harmony in divine truths they both corroborate and illustrate one another Christ’s coming and his going do so. Christ had commended his disciples for believing that he came forth from God (John 16:27), and thence infers the necessity and equity of his returning to God again, which therefore should not seem to them either strange or sad.  

Note, the due improvement of what we know and own would help us into the understanding of that which seems difficult and doubtful. If we ask concerning the Redeemer whence, he came, and whither he went, we are told,  

[1] That he came from the Father, who sanctified and sealed him, and he came into this world, this lower world, this world of mankind, among whom by his incarnation he was pleased to incorporate himself. Here his business lay, and hither he came to attend it. He left his home for this strange country his palace for this cottage wonderful condescension!  

[2] That, when he had done his work on earth, he left the world, and went back to his Father at his ascension. He was not forced away but made it his own act and deed to leave the world, to return to it no more till he comes to put an end to it yet still he is spiritually present with his church and will be to the end. 

Christ had commended his disciples for believing that he came forth from God (John 16:27), and thence infers the necessity and equity of his returning to God again, which therefore should not seem to them either strange or sad.  

In knowledge:  

Lo, now speakest thou plainly. When they were in the dark concerning what he said, they did not say, Lo, now speakest thou obscurely, as blaming him but now that they apprehend his meaning, they give him glory for condescending to their capacity: Lo, now speakest thou plainly. Divine truths are most likely to do good when they are spoken plainly, 1 Corinthians 2:4. Observe how they triumphed, as the mathematician did with his heureka, heureka, when he had hit upon a demonstration he had long been in quest of: I have found it, I have found it. Note, When Christ is pleased to speak plainly to our souls, and to bring us with open face to behold his glory, we have reason to rejoice in it. 

In faith: Now are we sure. Observe,  

[1] What was the matter of their faith: We believe that thou camest forth from God. He had said (John 16:27) that they did believe this “Lord” (say they) “we do believe it, and we have cause to believe it, and we know that we believe it, and have the comfort of it”  

[2] What was the motive of their faith–his omniscience. This proved him a teacher come from God, and more than a prophet, that he knew all things, which they were convinced of by this that he resolved those doubts which were hid in their hearts and answered the scruples they had not confessed.  

Note, those know Christ best that know him by experience, that can say of his power, it works in me of his love, He loved me. And this proves Christ not only to have a divine mission, but to be a divine person, that he is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, therefore the essential, eternal Word, Hebrews 4:12,13.  

He has made all the churches to know that he searches the reins and the heart, Revelation 2:23. This confirmed the faith of the disciples here, as it made the first impression upon the woman of Samaria that Christ told her all the things that ever she did (John 4:29), and upon Nathanael that Christ saw him under the fig-tree, John 1:48,49. 

The best of teachers can only answer what is spoken, but Christ can answer what is thought, what we are afraid to ask, as the disciples were, Mark 9:32. Thus he can have compassion, Hebrews 5:2 3. The gentle rebuke Christ gave the disciples for their confidence that they now understood him, John 16:31,32.  

Observing how they triumphed in their attainments, he said, “Do you now believe? Do you now look upon yourselves as advanced and confirmed disciples? Do you now think you shall make no more blunders? Alas! you know not your own weakness you will very shortly be scattered every man to his own.” 

Here we have, (1) A question, designed to put them upon consideration: Do you now believe? [1] “If now, why not sooner? Have you not heard the same things many a time before?” Those who after many instructions and invitations are at last persuaded to believe have reason to be ashamed that they stood it out so long. 

[2] “If now, why not ever? When an hour of temptation comes, where will your faith be then?” As far as there is inconstancy in our faith there is cause to question the sincerity of it, and to ask, “Do we indeed believe?”  

(2) A prediction of their fall, that, how confident soever they were now of their own stability, in a little time they would all desert him, which was fulfilled that very night, when, upon his being seized by a party of the guards, all his disciples forsook him and fled Matthew 26:56. 

So, Christ, as a society, is not visible [2] Scattered for him: You shall leave me alone. They should have been witnesses for him upon his trial, should have ministered to him in his sufferings if they could have given him no comfort, they might have done him some credit, but they were ashamed of his chain, and afraid of sharing with him in his sufferings, and left him alone. 

Note, many a good cause, when it is distressed by its enemies, is deserted by its friends. The disciples had continued with Christ in his other temptations and yet turned their back upon him now those that are tried, do not always prove trustworthy.  

If we at any time find our friends unkind to us, let us remember that Christ’s were so to him. When they left him alone, they were scattered every man to his own not to their own possessions or habitations, these were in Galilee but to their own friends and acquaintance in Jerusalem everyone went his own way, where he fancied, he should be most safe.  

Every man to secure himself and his own life. Note, those will not dare to suffer for their religion that seek their own things more than the things of Christ, and that look upon the things of this world as their ta idia–their own property, and in which their happiness is bound up. 

CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert 

 First, Christ knew before that his disciples would thus desert him in the critical moment, and yet he was still tender to them and in nothing unkind. We are ready to say of some, “If we could have foreseen their ingratitude, we would not have been so prodigal of our favours to them.”  

Christ did foresee theirs and yet was kind to them. Secondly, He told them of it, to be a rebuke to their exultation in their present attainments: “Do you now believe? Be not high-minded, but fear for you will find your faith so sorely shaken as to make it questionable whether it be sincere or no, in a little time.”  

Note, even when we are taking the comfort of our graces, it is good to be reminded of our dangers from our corruptions. When our faith is strong, our love flaming, and our pieces of evidence are clear, yet we cannot infer thence that tomorrow shall be as this day.  

Even when we have most reason to think we stand, yet we have reason enough to take heed lest we fall. Thirdly, He spoke of it as a thing very nearby. The hour has already come, in a manner, when they would be as shy of him as ever, they had been fond of him.  

Note, A little time may produce great changes, both concerning us and in us (3) An assurance of his own comfort notwithstanding Yet I am not alone. He would not be thought to complain of their deserting him, as if it were any real damage to him for in their absence, he should be sure of his Father’s presence, which was instar omnium–everything: The Father is with me. 

Brothers and Sisters lift up your prayers begin the battle let your Beacons shine brightly so many might find the path to peace, unity and Eternal life. Discover within your walk the strength Yeshua demonstrated for us to understand what it means to be a “Modern Day Disciple”. Seek the wisdom God has offered us through the Holy Spirit which provides Yeshua’s light through his words, teachings and comforting. Know, we enter into battle each day by reflecting God’s light to attract those in servitude to Satan and offering them freedom and eternal life.

Remember, these articles are from a devoted servant of Yeshua as a Watchman doing His bidding to deliver His warnings. May our Father be with you bless you as you go forward in His name. Go forward bravely but as wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove. 

Robert