I Tell You The Truth

It is instructive to observe the care taken by the Lord to inform and prepare His disciples for the difficulties they soon would face. He explains what is going to happen, why it will happen and the reason for telling them now. The time is fast approaching when they will be opposed, expelled from the synagogue, even slain in the name of God. They will be persecuted because the religious Jews are ignorant of God and devoid of faith in Christ. He is telling them now to prepare them for it. Such things are to be expected. The Lord’s people ought not to be surprised and need not be offended. 

The coming change

There was a time when the Lord did not need so fully to explain these things to His disciples. While He remained with them He shielded them from their enemies. Now, however, He was physically leaving. In His absence they each would be hated and feel the force of the Jews’ anger. Only now do the disciples begin to understand the implications of the Saviour’s words. Sadness for His leaving fills their minds. Thoughts of Christ’s glory, the Father’s house and the mansions He would prepare are insufficient to console their hearts.

Christ’s personal care

Yet, again, the tender lovingkindness of our Lord is revealed. He is preoccupied with His people’s needs. He does not refer to His own circumstances; neither His imminent personal suffering nor His triumphant return to His Father. He is engrossed, rather, with what is ‘expedient’ for the disciples, what is most beneficial and suitable for His church and people. Let us never forget how deeply the Lord cares for us and ministers to us in our distresses. Our hardships facilitate good by drawing us closer to Christ.

The Truth

Our Lord Jesus always spoke the truth. Being the Truth He cannot speak other than truthfully. Here He reminds His disciples that all He is revealing to them is accurate and trustworthy. He confirms that His departure will be to their real advantage and lasting benefit. The Saviour’s death, resurrection and return to His Father prompts the Holy Spirit’s coming forth from the Father. It is all according to the will of God. It is the wise design of the all-powerful God for the salvation of the church. It is His good and gracious purpose for Christ’s beloved Bride. 

What is expedient?

Christ’s going away was expedient because it opened the way for the Spirit’s coming and the worldwide spread of the gospel. It established the spiritual nature of true faith and worship. Had the Saviour remained in the world, had He set up an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem, the end of faith would have been frustrated. Like all physical, fleshy religion, worship would have become a ritual of outward service rather than heartfelt affection. God’s elect worship the Lord in spirit and truth, not by sacrifice, pilgrimage and homage at an earthly shrine.

The coming Spirit

The coming of the Holy Spirit was also expedient because He quickens the soul, renews the heart and guides the spiritual life of all of God’s elect. The Saviour had already listed many of the functions the Holy Ghost would perform. He comforts the Lord’s people. He teaches us of Christ. He brings to remembrance, ‘whatsoever I have said unto you’. This was but the beginning. The Holy Spirit’s ministry in the world includes preaching the gospel in power, gathering the saints, convicting, protecting and preserving the church.

The plan of redemption

Christ who is the Truth must die, be buried, rise again and ascend to heaven. The Holy Spirit of truth must come from the Father to quicken and indwell His elect. Together the Triune God accomplishes all good for the church, doing all that is effectual for and expedient to our salvation. The Lord’s people are saved by grace, redeemed by blood, renewed with spiritual life from above and called through the preaching of the gospel to trust in Jesus Christ for everlasting life and happiness. This is the saving work of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is the truth.

Amen.