“In the world, there is a fourfold invitation…”
Henry Greenwood
In the final words of the farewell discourse, Jesus speaks very plainly of where he came from and where he is going, “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” (John 16:28) We likened this sentence to a gospel in miniature. We have the divine origin of Christ, the incarnation of Christ, the passion of Christ, and his return to glory. After hearing Jesus’ words, the disciples responded, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? (John 16:29-31) The question of Jesus is a mix of rebuke, a call to reflection, and an encouragement to press on. Is there anyone, like our Savior, who in a single sentence can blend reproof and hope?
His question is a call to reflect on where they are spiritually. We know that that is the case because he is going to follow up by describing how they will all be scattered. J. C. Ryle notes, “The true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humility.” Let the believer who trusts in his own strength abandon such a shoddy support! The apostle Paul warns the Corinthians, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12) And again, from Proverbs, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (28:26) Please do not think I am being too hard on the disciples, A. W. Pink strikes an appropriate balance:
“We need not doubt that the profession of the Eleven was real and sincere. They honestly meant what they said. But they did not know themselves. They did not know what they were capable of doing under the pressure of the fear of men and strong temptation. They had not rightly estimated the weakness of the flesh, the power of the Devil, the feebleness of their own resolutions, the shallowness of their own faith. All this they had yet to learn by painful experience.”
Believer, what has been your own experience? Has the Lord placed you through a series of trials? Have you come out on the other side praising his steadfastness and finding strength in him? If we got to Christ, he both saves and refreshes, as one pastor from many centuries ago acknowledged, “In the world, there is a four-fold invitation, yet only one leads to salvation. The devil says, “Come unto me, but I will destroy you.” The world says, “Follow me, but I will deceive you.” The flesh says, “Follow me, but I will fail you.” Christ alone says, “Come unto me, and I will refresh you.” (Henry Greenwood)
Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
