John 14:29-31

            We are considering the eighth provision of Christ, a proper perspective.  Jesus is helping His disciples see their situation through the grid of what He has promised them.

·        The new perspective will see joy instead of sorrow, v28.

·        The new perspective will see faith-building instead of discouragement, v29.

            Christ has told them of His impending departure.  There are times when people refrain from telling others of the difficulties that lie ahead, just so they will not fear.  But then when the trials come the question is raised: “Why didn’t you tell me?  Why didn’t you warn me?”  This is not true of Jesus.  He loves His disciples to the end (John 13:1).  Therefore He is honest with them about the future.

            At the same time He has provided what they will need to face the future.  Therefore, when He departs, they will not need to fear.  Instead their faith will be strengthened.  They will remember:  “Not only did Jesus warn us He was leaving; He also provided for our needs.”

·        The new perspective will see victory instead of defeat, v30.

            Jesus makes reference in this verse to Satan, the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 16:11).  He is coming and He has nothing in Me.  What is Jesus’ point? 

            People might look at the cross and see it as a defeat for Christ.  Jesus did say that it was the hour of the power of darkness (Luke 22:53).  But this is not defeat, as horrible as the passion of Christ was.  But in fact it is the day of great victory for all creation.  In Gen. 3:15, the first promise of the Savior, we are told the serpent (Satan) would strike at the heel of the seed of the woman (Christ).  This is painful, but not deadly.  We are then told Christ will crush Satan’s head.  This is deadly.  The cross is victory, and by His resurrection the victory is confirmed and extended to the followers of Christ.

·        The new perspective will see love/obedience instead of destiny, v31.

            The key thought here is found in the purpose statement.  What Christ is about to endure is not fate or mere destiny.  Rather it is the result of His love for the Father and His obedience to the Father.  What He is about to endure is deliberate:  a deliberate plan by God and a deliberate following of that plan by the Lord Jesus.  Neither the Jewish leaders nor the Roman government nor circumstances nor chance are in charge here.  God is in control.

            Do we not see some wonderful truths here?  First, Christ called His disciples to love Him by obeying Him.  Now we see Him faithful to the end:  He obeys His Father because He loves His Father.

            Second, remember that Christ began this discourse by exemplifying humility born out of a deep trust in His Father.  Now we see the humility to the very end.  His confidence is in the Father and the Father’s sovereign will.  He calls the Twelve, and us, to the same confidence.  This is our perspective.