Lent 2023: John 16:5-15

5 But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 About sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

—John 16:5-15

Read & Journal

Read John 16:5-15. Meditate on this passage of Scripture. Let these journal prompts guide you:

• What does this passage teach you about Jesus, his character or his mission?

• What do these verses teach you about the Holy Spirit and his work?

• As part of Jesus’ farewell discourse, these verses were supposed to express important truths and comfort before his impending death. What important truths did you notice? What examples of comfort did you see?

• How are Jesus’ words comforting in your current context?

• When we become Christians, Jesus imputes his righteousness on us—a fancy way of saying he attributes his perfect righteousness. Why is that so important that Jesus said he had to go in verse 10?

• How has the Spirit been your guide this week? Journal a prayer thanking God for specific instances of leadership, truth and comfort over the past few weeks.