Common Sense Commentary:
When a child first goes to school he thinks 1+2 is a big problem. The teacher uses simple "parables" to teach him. "Momma had one apple and Daddy had two; how many apples did ...." When the child reaches a more mature age, the teacher speaks more "plainly" and directly to the point. Even so, our teacher (Master) spoke to his disciples in "Parables" right up to their graduation from "Elementary" School things. Then he spoke "plainly" to them of our Heavenly Father, of his own crucifixion, resurrection and departure back to Heaven (Jn.16:25). And so it is with God's Christian education today. A new Christian is a babe and cannot endure the "strong meat" of God's Word and requires the "sincere milk" and simple, Elementary things of Scripture ... in "parables" (Heb.5:12-14).
Christian maturity is quite a long, painful process and includes bouts of misinterpretation, misunderstanding and a measured amount of tribulation as well. But if the the weak little believer learns the "patience" (endurance) which "tribulation" teaches and keeps coming back to God's Christian School Of Hard Knocks, he will learn, grow mature, endure with patience and finally rejoice in those fires of trial (Rom.5:3).
This is what Jesus was teaching his new Christian disciples in John 16 which I referenced above. To sum up, in paraphrase, this chapter, Jesus said, The time has arrived when "I go my way to Him that sent me" ( v.5). There are so many things you need to know but I won't be here to teach you, and besides, you cannot understand them yet (v.12). But when I am gone and the "Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all truth" (v.12). Then some of his disciples whispered among themselves, "What is he talking about" (v.17). Then Jesus said, "In that day ye shall ask ME nothing" but "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in MY NAME, He will give it to you" (v.23). "These things have I spoken to you in PROVERBS: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you PLAINLY of the Father" (v.25). "Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come ...." (v.32). "These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have PEACE. In the world you SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD" (v.33). In other words, "You will suffer with the rest of the world and often more, but if you will trust in me and obey my words, you will have perfect, permanent Peace and no more need of "proverbs" but direct, "plain" communication with God the Father.
"These words spake Jesus, and then lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour is come... (17:1).
"I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (17:4). Shortly after that, Jesus was taken and crucified. Three days later He arose from His grave and returned to His Father in Heaven. Soon after that, on the day of Pentecost, the "Spirit of truth" came into Christian hearts and "guided them into all truth...." and the PEACE that comes only from the "Prince of Peace", Jesus Christ, rested upon them and they rejoiced. No man or pain or experience or devil can take that peace from us (Jn.16:22). Only YOU can cause the loss of His Peace ....when you cease to listen to the "Spirit of Peace" and cease to walk with Jesus.
My friends, more tribulations are coming soon but we have nothing to fear and no right to be depressed or to quit on Jesus. May your spirit and mind rest in Him whatever befalls our country and us.
"Ye are of God, little Children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1Jn.4:4.
Now pass it on. RB
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