This passage is a microcosm of the creation, fall, redemption that we see in the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis. Fittingly, Jesus is arrested in a garden. In the first garden, humanity sinned and brought forth death. But in this garden, Jesus will undo that curse and bring forth life as a result of his death at the hands of a sinful world.

Jesus points to the love and unity of himself and God and explains it as both a love that Christians are invited into and an evangelistic tool that the church has in reaching the world. The Church is the place where all are welcome to worship the living God and that is meant to be a community where all can feel loved and welcomed.

In this message, we talk about the mission of Christ and reaching the lost as Thad Bergmeier shares.

Just before his arrest, Jesus offers a prayer to God. In this section, Jesus will pray for the disciples and for their consecration. Jesus will also talk about the fulfillment of his ministry as he sends out his disciples to continue that work after he is no longer physically present in the world.

On the eve of going to the cross, Jesus makes the longest prayer we see recorded anywhere in the Bible. What does he pray for? Among other things, he begins his prayer by praying for his glory and that the Father would be glorified by what Jesus was about to do. This passage points us to the glory in prayer, the glory of the gospel, and the glory of God.

Jesus has given glimpses of what life will be like for the disciples - and ultimately for the church - after his death and resurrection. But in this passage, Jesus will give further clarification on the dramatically new paradigm that awaits. Jesus will point to a new way to pray, a new revelation, and a new type of peace.

It would seem that nothing could come from Jesus going to the cross, but in this passage, Jesus encourages the disciples and promises that from a time of great sorrow, there will be an even greater joy. Christians have the opportunity to experience joy today, the hope of a time of perfected joy, and the promise of a joy that will never be taken away.

Throughout the Gospel of John, we see Jesus pointing to the activity and ministry of the Holy Spirit. On the night before going to the cross, Jesus will give his last major teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit when he’s gone. We learn that the Spirit comes in fulfillment of God’s promises, he brings conviction of sin, and he points believers to truth.

Jesus gives a couple of warnings in this passage. The disciples will face persecution and hatred for following Jesus. Some will fall away, which is why Jesus gives this warning. He doesn’t want us to be oblivious to the cost of following him. Today and throughout history, Christians have faced opposition from the world.

In this passage, Jesus tells of the giving of the Holy Spirit who will witness to Christ after he’s gone. Jesus also tells the disciples that they themselves will be witnesses to Jesus in the early church. And this sets up a reminder for all of us today that we too are witnesses of Jesus I our lives.