In preparing His disciples for His imminent departure, Jesus reassures them by saying that it is better that He go away, so that the Holy Spirit may come. How is it better?

How is it advantageous for the disciples that Christ go away in favor of the Holy Spirit?

The answer that Jesus gave was relevant for His disciples then, and now. And so, this week we continue on in John 16:1-15.

Having a relationship with Jesus means being unified with Him. This is language that we see stated and repeated constantly throughout the gospel of John. And so, it’s important that we all understand what being unified with Christ means practically in our real-world experience. So...

What does it mean to be unified with Christ in this world?

Who are you? Central to identity is the ability to be identifiable--to be the real deal. What does that look like?

When it comes to being Christ's disciple, "How do you prove your discipleship?"

In John 15:1-17, Jesus addresses this very question, which takes aim at the very core question: "How do you become Christ's disciple?"

Prepared. For all of life's important challenges we all want to be prepared. And the greater the mission and challenge, the more we feel this way. But, how can you possibly undertake a mission when you know that you're not ready for it?

Jesus' disciples are faced with exactly such a problem. Jesus has told them that He will be leaving them. But, He has also left them with a mission to keep.

So, how can Christ's disciples keep the mission that they've been called to?

For  as many “hellos” as we experience early on in our lives, “goodbyes”  become more common and  inevitable as time goes on. It’s like that in  life when someone has to go, we feel an empty space created by their  absence and it makes us feel unstable.

In the final moments, the final meal, that He’ll share with His  disciples before His hour of glory, Jesus emphatically makes the point   that He will be leaving them. And even though they don’t fully  understand the message, His words leave them unsettled and troubled.  After all, the one that all of them have staked their lives and futures  on, is telling them that He’s leaving them. And knowing how they are   feeling Jesus says to them, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”

How could Jesus’ disciples have courage when Jesus would be  leaving them?

Jesus is in His final hours that will lead to His appointment upon the cross. And in these last moments that He has with His disciples, Jesus now shares some final words with them. While still gathered as part of their Passover meal and having sent Judas off to complete his betrayal, Jesus delivers up a command to His disciples that He calls “new.” But is it really new or just an old command that's been "rebranded"?

In John 13:31-38, we see what this command is and whether it's really "new.

Jesus only has a few short hours before He all the events of “His glory” would take place. So, during the Passover meal—the same meal that started by first washing His disciples’ feet—Jesus makes a startling announcement: “one of you will betray me.”

His disciples have not understood the significance of Jesus’ words and actions thus far during this meal. This announcement will be no different. And yet, Jesus makes His declaration, nonetheless. Why?

For what purpose did Jesus announce His betrayal beforehand?

Sometimes there are acts that people perform that make us ask, "why?" Actions that aren't typical but challenge our understanding of what is expected. Jesus does something that fits this description and then some, when He washes His disciples' feet. It's an unusual act and one that left His disciples asking, "Why?"

Why would Jesus wash His disciples’ feet?

For what purpose would Jesus do this?

Throughout His ministry, Jesus speaks of a time that is “at hand”—an hour that is to come but had not yet arrived. And what becomes apparent  is that everything that Jesus has done, has been timed in according to that clock—a time set not to this world, but to heaven. Jesus’ earthly life  and ministry has been a steady march towards this appointed hour. And now, during the Passover Feast, as people have gathered to worship God, Jesus declares that  the time has come. His time had finally come. But all this waiting brings up an important question:

What was Jesus anticipating with the arrival of His appointed time?

Nothing is as emphatic and jarring as death. Death is so final, ripping people out of lives, leaving holes and emptiness. This is especially true when we lose people too early, not from old age but from disease, injustice, or without warning. And in the midst of the grief, it’s not uncommon for people to ask, “God, where were you when all of this was happening?”

In John 11, this very question and crisis is presented when a beloved brother and friend unexpectedly dies. And in the face of such loss that comes to us all, we ask...

Can trusting in Jesus overcome the crisis of death?