◄ What Does John 16:1 Mean? ►

"These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.

John 16:1(NASB)

Verse of the Day

The gracious words of the Lord Jesus are light and life, health and wholeness, truth and love, and they are words of great comfort for all His children. The words of Jesus bring peace and hope, and His words keep us from stumbling. Would that we pay attention to the Word made flesh Who is the only One that will guide us into all through truth through His written Word of truth, by means of His Spirit of truth.

The Cross was drawing ever closer and the disciples were agitated in their hearts, and in this passage, the Lord is seeking to reassure them and give them a glimpse into things that were to come. Christ had made many references to the crucifixion and His rising from the dead after three days, but He also wanted to prepare them for things yet to come - things that would take place after He had left them - things would become so much clearer in the future from the day of Pentecost (when the Spirit of Truth would be sent), to the mysteries that would be unveiled to them through the ministry of the apostle Paul.

The Lord knew the right time to tell His disciples another part of His glorious plan. Little by little, at the right time, the Lord imparted more and more pieces of information - as much as they could bear - no more and no less.

So many of the Lord's words to the disciples were spoken to move them from the fraught emotional thinking that ravaged their anxious hearts, to the calm influence of the gospel truth that would set their hearts free and keep them from stumbling.

The gracious words of the Lord Jesus are light and life, health and wholeness, truth and love, peace and comfort, and these words are spoken to you that you may be kept from stumbling.

My Prayer

Thank You, Father, for the comforting truths in Your Word. May I increasingly take note of all You teach me so that I may be kept from stumbling. In Jesus' name, AMEN.