Jesus said to his disciples:
“Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
sin, because they do not believe in me;
righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
Jesus is suggesting here that his death and resurrection is not something to lament. I suppose we commemorate it on Good Friday then we celebrate his resurrection on Easter sunday. I had never thought much about the weeks following Easter but recently, I have come to recognise them as really critical to faith. Those who were living at the time of Jesus’ death were transformed when they witnessed the risen Christ. They went from feeling defeated and robbed of their lives to feeling renewed , energisedand convinced that they have landed on the right side of this transformative movement for humankind. More than that, they were energised, committed and motivated and go out and act so Christianty will transform the world even long after they are dead. It is hard to ignore or deny a man who had this impact at the time and who continues to empower those who believe his message to this day. I believe.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Jn 16:5-11 demonstrates a thoughtful exploration of Jesus' death and resurrection! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Beyond death and resurrection: You rightly acknowledge the significance of the period between Jesus' death and resurrection, which can be a time of transformation for believers.
Witnessing the Risen Christ: Highlighting the impact of witnessing the risen Christ on the disciples is a key point.
Transformation and empowerment: You effectively capture the transformation from despair to purpose experienced by the disciples.
Enduring impact: Acknowledging the lasting impact of Jesus on believers throughout history strengthens your argument.
Personal faith: Ending with your declaration of belief adds a powerful personal touch.
Additional thoughts:
Understanding Jesus' teachings: Consider exploring how studying Jesus' teachings throughout his ministry, not just the resurrection, contributes to faith.
Role of the Holy Spirit: The passage mentions the coming of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps explore the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers.
Challenges of faith: While faith is transformative, acknowledge that following Christ also involves challenges and requires ongoing commitment.
Here are some questions to ponder further:
How can you deepen your understanding of Jesus' teachings beyond the resurrection narrative?
How do you experience the Holy Spirit in your own faith journey?
How can you stay motivated and committed to your faith even when faced with challenges?
By exploring these aspects, you can continue to enrich your understanding of the importance of the resurrection and its ongoing impact on your faith.