John 16:1-15 | What’s a lesson for the original audience?

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.”
-John 16:1

The lesson that John is stressing is the message Jesus is stressing. He does not want the disciples to be caught off guard by difficult circumstances, persecution or otherwise. He wants them to know that the Lord is with them and the Holy Spirit is coming to help them. Persecution, trials, tribulations and the like are all guaranteed for the believer. It is not a question of if but when. The promises of “life will get easier when you believe” are full of nonsense. The promise is that the Lord will be with you through them. That is what Jesus is emphasizing.

The disciples ought not lose heart and be made to stumble in their faith because of the fact that the Lord is with them and is empowering them. In fact, the Holy Spirit will move within the world to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He will call out their sin, acquit the believer and recognize their righteousness and demonstrate the judgment of the enemy. The heart is to warn but encourage. Things are going to get hard. The Lord will give everything they need for life and godliness.