Sending the Helper Pain entered the world as one of the fruits of disobedience. However, God in His love allowed His only begotten Son to become man and to suffer as a sacrifice of love offered on behalf of all humanity. Consequently, pain changed from being the fruit of sin to becoming a sign of love. We then obtained the right to suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Through this unique sacrifice we perceive the meaning of the divine promise that He wounds and heals (Deut 32:39). The Lord Jesus Christ spoke to the disciples openly about how much they would suffer and He promised to them His Holy Spirit the Helper who will descend on them, work in them, and grant them His divine comfort. * The spirit needs the divine lamp that is the Holy Spirit who lights the dark house. The spirit needs the bright Sun of Righteousness who shines in the heart. The spirit also needs the armor with which it may fight the battle and win. Saint Macarius the Great 1 – The Painful Arrows of Love verses 1-6 2 – Sending the Helper 7-15 3 – The Promise That He Will See Them after His Resurrection 16-22 4 – Answering Their Prayers 23-27 5 – His Ascension to Heaven 28 6 – His Abandonment during His Suffering 29-32 7 – His Victory for Them 33 1 – The Painful Arrows of Love In perfect faithfulness the Lord Jesus Christ reveals to the disciples the trouble they will face during the missions to which He will send them. However, these are the burdens of love. They are the arrows of love for His sake, for the world hates them as it hates Him. “These things I have spoken to you, https://coptic-treasures.com/ That you should not be made to stumble.” [1] The expression “these things I have spoken to you” is repeated seven times in this chapter. In Greek this expression implies continuity and dignity. It is as though the things He speaks about in His farewell speech are not confined to a particular time. They are vital matters related to the Church throughout all the ages. The word “to stumble” here is interpreted by some scholars as “you will fall into a trap” similar to a bird or an animal that falls in a net. The Lord informs the disciples beforehand about the sufferings they will endure so that they do not stumble. That is to say, lest they lose their faith and their spirits are harmed, just as a man’s body is hurt when he stumbles in the street or falls in a trap or over a stone. * “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble,” [1]. As the Holy Spirit pours in our hearts, the Holy Spirit who was given to us provides (Rom 5:5), to those who love God’s law, great peace so that they do not stumble in anything.1 Saint Augustine “They will put you out of the synagogues; Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you Will think that he offers God service.” [2] The Lord refers to the time of suffering as “the hour of temptation.” To cling to Christ and testify of Him was considered a religious crime or blasphemy. Therefore, Christians were put out of the synagogues. They were deprived of the right to pray. They were as considered cursed and unworthy to worship God or participate in prayers with the believers. The pain that the Jew who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ suffered because he was put out of the temple and was deprived of the joy of belonging to the Jewish nation was not less than murder. He then lost the feeling of relationship to the people of God. He lost his peculiar privileges and was considered as one who had broken the law. He was looked upon as a Samaritan, a pagan, a tax collector, and as a traitor of his religion, his people, and country. They did not stop at putting those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ out of the synagogues. They pursued them to offer them as human sacrifice and considered doing that for the glory of God. As Isaiah says, "Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, said, let the Lord be glorified” (Is 66:5). This is what happened to the Apostle Paul when forty men swore that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed him (Acts 23:12-13). In the Talmud it is written, “…whoever kills an infidel is equal to a person who brings an offering 1 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 93:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ to God”2 Thus wolves disguised in the clothes of lambs, and the enemies of God appeared as zealous servants. They practiced hostility as a religious obligation toward heaven. * In truth it was said to those “…they will put you out of the synagogues.” That is to say, they have passion for God but have no knowledge, for they ignore God’s righteousness. Those punished should have no shame in being cast out by people, as long as God is the glory of their strength.3 * Those who think that they serve God by killing you do not know the Father or the Son. The Lord added these words to comfort His people who are expelled from the Jewish communities. He says, “The time is coming that” in a manner of one who informs them beforehand of good news that will be followed by major evil. They will truly disperse you and I will gather you, or they will truly scatter you, but the time of your joy is coming.4 Saint Augustine “And these things they will do to you Because they have not known the Father nor Me.” [3] There is a big difference between a person who speaks or writes about God and a person who knows God and God knows him. Here, when the Lord speaks about knowledge He does not mean mere mental knowledge, but knowledge through life and experience. Therefore, when on the Day of Judgment He says to the wicked “I know you not…” it does not mean that God is lacking information, for He knows everything, He means He does not know them in the context of friendship and communion. The cause of their wickedness is lack of true knowledge. As is written in Hosea: “…because they have transgressed My covenant, and trespassed against My law, Israel shall cry unto Me, my God, we know thee” (Hos 8:1-2). They may know God’s will, but they do not know God practically in their conduct. They study the Bible but they twist the interpretation as they like. * As though the Lord Jesus Christ says to His disciples: ‘it is sufficient for you so that you may be comforted, to know that all your suffering is for My sake and the Father’s sake.’ Here He also reminds them of His beatitudes when He taught them”Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.,” (Matt 5:11-12)5. 2 Bammidar, R.21 ad Num.25:13. 3 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 93:2. 4 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 93:3. 5 Homilies on St. John, 77:3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Saint John Chrysostom “But these things I have told you, That when the time comes, You may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, Because I was with you.” [4] He did not tell them those things at the beginning when they followed Him so that they may not be confused or worried. Now that they have become His disciples, He declares this to them as an essential matter in their life and their communion with Him. Before He had spoken to them about the time of tribulation so that they would realize that what will happen to them will not be a coincidence as some believe but will be allowed by God and to the extent that God will permit. Moreover, in this statement, Christ paves the way for them so that they may be ready to face that time with their spiritual weapons and in particular with the sword of the divine Word. Why did He inform them about that at that particular time? Because the hour of tribulation was approaching. The hour of His suffering was near and the time of their suffering will be soon and He, in the flesh, will leave them. When He was with them in the flesh He comforted and supported them. Now He leaves to them His word and His promise that He will send to them the Holy Spirit the Helper. * No one should be surprised that we are consumed by continuous persecution and are under unusual oppression, since the Lord has told us beforehand that these things will happen at the end. He also gave instructions to our army and His words teach and encourage us.6 Cyprian the Martyr * These words I say enable you to judge and trust in my other speeches. You cannot say that I flatter you by mentioning only what pleases you. I do not cheat you, for whoever wishes to cheat you will not tell you beforehand things that would cause you to leave him. Therefore, I inform you in advance that these things will occur to you, so that you may not be troubled by not expecting these events. There is also another reason: that you may not say we did not know before that these things will happen. Remember, therefore, that I told you. May we also consider these things at the time of trial? And when we suffer at the hands of evil people: “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). These things are caused by the wicked and are for the sake of virtue and for His sake. 6 Letter 58 to the people abiding in Thibaris, 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ For, if we contemplate these matters, everything will be easy and bearable. If one suffers for the sake of his beloved, he glories in doing so; how much more would be his feelings when he endures suffering for the sake of God? He, for our sake considered this shame, the cross, glory; how much more, then, we need to take this same attitude? If we can make light of pain, how much more can we disdain wealth and greed?7 * “And these things I did not say to you at the beginning because I was with you,” [4]. He said that in a human way as though saying: ‘when you were safe and had the authorization to ask Me when you wished, while the entire storm was blowing on Me, it was not necessary that I speak to you about these things at the beginning.’8 Saint John Chrysostom Saint John Chrysostom asks, ‘why did Christ say to them that He had not spoken to them about those things before; although when He called the twelve disciples He said to them ‘You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake’ and they will scourge you in their synagogues (Matt 10:17-18)?’ Then Saint John Chrysostom answers his question by saying that what Christ had said to His disciples was about what would happen in the future when they would preach to the Gentiles. But what He speaks about in this verse are things that they will suffer at the hands of the Jews, things that will soon happen. He had not told them anything about those things before.9 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, And none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’” [5] Peter had asked Him this question (John 13:36). Thomas also asked the same question (John 14:5), and He answered both. But now He tells them not to ask Him that question because sorrow filled their hearts, [6]. It befits them, instead of asking where He was going, to understand and trust that all things work together for good to them whom God loves (Rom 8:28). * Now He promises them that He will go away in a manner through which no one asks Him where He is going. For, a cloud received Him as He ascended from among them. When He went up to heaven, no one asked Him orally; this was rather eye witnessing (Acts 1:9-11).10 Saint Augustine 7 Homilies on St. John, 77:3-4. 8 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. 9 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. 10 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 94:3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “But because I have said these things to you, Sorrow has filled your heart.” [6] The Lord Christ had filled their heart with joy before now (John 15:11). However, when their thoughts were troubled, sorrow filled their hearts and they did not allow Christ’s joy to possess them. Their thoughts were preoccupied with Christ’s exterior kingdom and temporal glory and that they would rule with Him. As worldly thoughts entered their minds, worldly sorrow filled them. * Their human feelings were distressed because seeing Him in the flesh would end permanently. But He knew what was beneficial for them. For that inner vision through which He will grant them the Holy Spirit for solace is undoubtedly more glorious…since He pours Himself in the hearts of believers. He then adds, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you,” [7]. He seems to say to them: ‘it is better for you that the form of a bondservant be taken away from you, for the Word came in real flesh and dwelt among you. But I do not want you to continue in loving Me in the flesh and be satisfied with this milk wishing to remain little children forever. If you adhere to the flesh in a physical way, the Spirit will have no room for you. What does He mean by “if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you” other than that you cannot accept the Lord as long as you continue in knowing Christ according to the flesh? Therefore, one who obtained the Spirit says, “Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer” (2 Cor 5:16). For, now even the body of Christ he does not know in a physical way since he achieved the spiritual knowledge of the Word who became flesh11. * Through Christ’s departure according to the flesh, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit became present with them. Thus, Christ left them in a manner so that He may remain in His abode and not with them, and so that the Holy Spirit may be present in them. What then does His promise mean when He says, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matt 28:20). My Father and I “will come to him and make Our home with him,” (John 14:23)12. Saint Augustine * Extreme sorrow is terrible and brings death. Therefore, Paul says, “…lest such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow,” (2 Cor 2:7)13. 11 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 94:4. 12 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 94:5. 13 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ * It is no little comfort for them to know that He understands their great sorrow. For, besides their sadness because He will leave them and terrible things will happen to them, they did not know if they could bear all that with a strong will. 14 Saint John Chrysostom 2 – Sending the Helper “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is for your advantage that I go away; For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; But if I depart, I will send Him to you.” [7] In the Old Testament the prophets comforted the people during trouble by foretelling the coming of the Messiah the Savior as their helper (Is 9:6; Micah 5:6; Zech 3:8). Now the Messiah has come and will depart according to the flesh. Therefore, there is urgent need for another Helper- that is the Holy Spirit- whose coming necessitates Christ’s departure [7]. It was not possible for the disciples to accept that. Consequently, the Lord Jesus Christ affirms “I tell you the truth” that it is for their advantage that He goes away. This teaching was unexpected and strange to them. His ascension is not for His rest, but for their advantage. For, if what He did through the flesh was for the sake of His believers, His ascension is the ascension of the Head that the members of the body do not relinquish. He had previously declared to them the necessity of His death for man’s salvation (Matt 20:19; 26:2; Mark 9:31; 10:33; Luke 9:44; 18:32). Now, He does not repeat His previous declaration, but rather reveals God’s plan concerning sending the Holy Spirit to the world. This will not be achieved unless our salvation is realized through the cross, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. Why will the Holy Spirit not come except Christ goes away first? Because He comes to dwell in the human soul that the Lord bought with His blood. He gave men His righteousness and the right to enter heaven. Thus, the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and ascension are the path to the enjoyment of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the Church and His dwelling in it so that the believer may enjoy that abode. On the other hand, Christ’s ascension to heaven as the glorified Savior does not take away from Him His preoccupation with His Bride-the Church- whom He has saved with His blood. He sends to her the Holy Spirit who sanctifies her for Him. He beautifies her and makes an icon of her for Him. She gets prepared for the heavenly eternal wedding. Thus, the coming of the Holy Spirit who is Christ’s Spirit is better for the Church than the Lord Jesus Christ’s staying physically on earth. If the Lord Jesus Christ continues to remain physically on earth, the human eye will turn toward Him. But the coming of the Holy Spirit will draw the human heart 14 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ to the glorified Christ in heaven. Consequently, the human heart will yearn not for continuing to exist on earth, but for departing to the bridegroom. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven at a critical moment and in strange circumstances, for He left His disciples powerless and having nothing to do but wait. (1) From the point of view of their private life and faith, until the moment of ascension they were afraid, weak, hard-hearted and of little faith (Mark 16:14). He left them physically and He gave them difficult commandments, a narrow path, and His severe cross. Who could endure all that? (2) From the point of view of their work He gave them a difficult mission. He asked them to preach and make disciples in the entire world. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). He asked them to preach in the name of the Holy Trinity. This was a difficult mission at a time when they did not perform miracles, cure lepers and cast out evil spirits as they had done when He served on earth before His crucifixion. They were, therefore, in need of support and help. For this reason, He promised to send them the Spirit of Fire, the Spirit of the Holy God Himself. He will work in them to sanctify them and others. "Behold, I send you the Promise of My Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high,” (Luke 24:49) The ascension of the Lord, therefore, became a matter of joy and their spirits rejoiced. For, as He blessed them, He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. They worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They were continually in the temple praising and blessing God (Luke 24:51-53). For the Lord said to them, “…if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you,” (John 16:7)15. About the day of the Pentecost Feast, Saint John Chrysostom writes about ‘The gifts of the Holy Spirit’ and says: [Before these days He ascended to heaven and took His heavenly throne. He took back His seat at the right hand of the Father. Today He grants us the coming on of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit He distributes among us other heavenly gifts. For, what gift among all gifts do we enjoy in our redeemed spirits, that we did not receive through the service of the Holy Spirit?! Through the Spirit we are free of bondage and called to freedom! Through Him we become the children of God by adoption! Moreover, if I may say, we were renewed taking off the loathsome burden of sins! Through Him we see before us the orders of clergy! Through Him our teachers help us! From Him we obtain the gifts of signs, of healing and all the other gifts with which the Holy Spirit adorns the Church of God. This is what the Apostle Paul declares saying, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills,” (1 Cor 12:11). He says, ‘as He wills’ not ‘as He orders’, and he says, ‘distributing’ not ‘distributed.’ He thus shows that the Spirit possesses the gifts and does not bow to the authority of another. 15 The author: God Sanctifies Me, 1967, p.3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ For, the authority that the Apostle testifies of that belongs to the Father is the same that is referred to the Holy Spirit. Just as he says about the Father "it is the same God who works all in all", he also says about the Holy Spirit, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills.” Observe this perfect authority for the divine nature is one. Therefore, there is not the least doubt concerning the authority; since there is equality in honor, power and authority must be one.] * In the Gospels of the three other evangelicals it is clearly shown that He made such a prophecy before the Last Supper (Matt 10:16-30; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-17): that the Helper or Intercessor became necessary when Christ would depart. He, therefore, speaks about Him since the beginning as He was with them and His presence was helping them. However, on the night of His departure it was appropriate for the Lord to speak about the coming of the Spirit who will pour love in the hearts of those who will courageously preach the word of God. With the Spirit, they will carry within themselves Christ’s testimony. There will be no cause to stumble when the hostile Jews put them out of the synagogues and kill them thinking that in doing so they offered God service. For, love endures all things (1 Cor 13:7); and that love of God had been poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to them (Rom 5:5)16. Saint Augustine * As though He says openly: ‘If I do not withdraw My flesh from your corporeal understanding, I cannot through My Spirit the Helper guide you to spiritual perception’17. Pope Gregory the Great * We cannot by any means have this blessing, which we who have not seen- yet believe, except by accepting it through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, He specifically said “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you,” [7]. He is with us always in His divinity. But if He does not leave us in the flesh, we shall always see His body as body and we shall not believe spiritually.18 Saint Augustine * Observe how He comforts them again. He is clearly saying, ‘I speak to you not to cheer you, even though you grieved many times, but you need to listen to what is for your good. You truly grieve because you yearn that I stay with you though what is for your good is different.’ For, part of the concern for others enforces a person not to be too gentle to them in matters that are for their benefit, or for matters that lead them to what is not to their advantage.”19 16 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 94:2. 17 Moral 8:13. 18 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 93:4. 19 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Saint John Chrysostom The Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit The temporal birth of the Lord Jesus Christ opened the way to the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. For the life of the Lord Jesus Christ everywhere and in every action testifies to the work of the Holy Spirit that is Christ’s Spirit. John the Forerunner came as an angel to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15). The same Spirit came upon the Saint Virgin Mary and overshadowed her, like the smoke or thick cloud that covered Sinai, to make her ready so that the Holy One, who is to be born of her would be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Then, when Saint Mary visited Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and the babe in her womb leaped for joy (Luke 1: 41, 44). Mary and Zacharias, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, glorified God (Luke 1: 46, 68) and Simeon the Elder came by the Spirit into the temple to receive the child Jesus (Luke 2: 25-32). The Holy Spirit also drove our Lord Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted (Mark 1: 12). The Lord Christ gives us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us so that we carry Christ in us, and He Himself becomes our prayer and worship "in Spirit" as we cry out to the Father, "Abba, Father" (Rom 8: 15; Gal 4: 6). “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, And of righteousness, And of judgment.” [8] The mission of the Holy Spirit to the Church fulfills the Lord Jesus Christ’s care for the Church. When the Holy Spirit comes He will grant people the life of repentance and a return to Him through the Cross. He alone can enter the heart, reveal sin and unveil it to a person so that he may return to the delightful communion with God. The Holy Spirit can convince the heart, mind, and the entire depth of a man that his happiness, safety, joy, eternal life and incorruption are in his steadfastness with the Savior, not with sin. He will persuade him that the pleasure of life with God is far greater than the pleasures of sin. The Holy Spirit is called ‘the Paraclete.’ This is an old Greek word. ‘Para’ means ‘dwell, beside’, ‘clete’ means ‘call’, ‘to help.’ Thus, the Paraclete is the dwelling Helper or the Guide and Comforter, the Intercessor and Defender. In Latin Paraclete is ‘advocatus’ and in French ‘avocat’ which means ‘lawyer’ or ‘defending intercessor.’ This is the basis of our communion with the Holy Trinity. He intercedes for us before the Father. He presents the case to end our judgment with a verdict of innocence. We thus have the right of communion and of enjoyment of the divine bosom. The plea of the Holy Spirit is powerful, able, and glorious. Nevertheless, it is an argument in truth for He does not advocate https://coptic-treasures.com/ for us falsely or with contrivance. He is the Spirit of Truth whose testimony is for Truth. He is Truth Himself. He is just in His defense; He does not hide our sins and mistakes: in His intercession for sinners (Phil 1:20), He does not conceal our sins or cover up their stains with fig leaves as Adam did and as Adam’s sons do. He does not show preference, nor does He ask for association of light and darkness, or righteousness and corruption. His work and advocacy for us is that He ‘cuts to the heart’ of the individual before he believes and before the Spirit dwells in him. He changes his nature, so that He may grant him faith and acceptance of the gift of the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the hearts, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles “…what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” (Acts 2: 37-38) Saint Augustine observes that the greatest sin is disbelief in Christ as the Savior of the world. For he who does not believe cannot have the blessing of remission of his sins. Therefore, “He will convict the world of sin” implies urging men to abandon disbelief in Christ and so open the way for forgiveness. While Peter was speaking to Cornelius and those who were with him, ‘the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word….Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord,’ (Acts 10: 44-47). If the Spirit cuts to the heart of a person before baptism, will He not cut to his heart after He dwells in him through Chrismation?! His work is to convict a person of sin so that he may repent and confess. By means of the sacrament of repentance and confession, his sins are forgiven through the Holy Spirit who forgives by reason of the due rewards of Christ’s blood. Christ said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.” Thus, the Holy Spirit does not cover up the sins of unbelievers or believers. On the contrary, as He is the Light, He reveals and exposes sin before a man’s inner vision. He discloses our iniquities and their bitterness to our hearts. At the same time He reveals the work of the Cross and the captivating power of God’s love. In this way, the Holy Spirit presents our confessions- full of depravity- along with our tears of repentance, and prayers of faith and joins them with the Blood shed for our sake. Then immediately the verdict of innocence is declared. The person’s old sins are forgiven both in the sacrament of baptism and in the sacrament of repentance and confession.20 * Observe how He begins first by rebuking sin and by scolding not only the Jews but every one who is obstinate and fights the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit’s third conviction is of judgment of the ruler of this world. The Paraclete will testify of Christ’s glory. He will show to the world the 20 The author: God Sanctifies Me, 1967, pages 12-13. https://coptic-treasures.com/ error in deserting Christ and worshipping Satan who by nature is not God. Now Satan is not the ruler of this world rightfully, like one who has the esteem of the governor who inherits his province. However, he retains the glory of this world by deceit and violence as he falsely rules over those, and that because of their evil will he exercise his authority over them.21 Saint Cyril the Great * We yearn to understand why it seems that there is no sin for a person other than his disbelief in Christ. For He spoke about that sin only saying that the Holy Spirit will judge the world for it. It is obvious that in addition to the sin of not believing in Christ there are various human sins. So why does the Holy Spirit convict the world of this sin only? It is because in disbelief all sins are retained, but in belief all sins are forgiven. This is why God attributes to them this sin more than all other sins. For by having no faith, a man’s sins are not forgiven- since he is proud and does not believe in our humble God. It is written, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble,’ (Prov 3:34; James 4:6). This grace from God is God’s gift, but the greatest gift is the Holy Spirit who has been called “Grace.” For, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God [because] through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned,” (Rom 3:23; 5:12). Saint Augustine Saint John Chrysostom affirms that the Holy Spirit and also the Father testify of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world that lies under the sway of the wicked one. Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ delivered teachings and wonders but the wicked resisted them. But when He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit who worked in Christ’s disciples and apostles to reveal truth. The Holy Spirit achieves great wonderful deeds in Christ’s name. He convicts the world so that people may comprehend their wickedness and accept to come back to the Savior. * “And when He has come, He will convict the world” [8]. This means that they will be punished for their deeds when He comes. For, truly the things that were actually done were enough to convict them. However, when those matters are also accomplished through Him (after His ascension), when the teachings become more complete (through the coming of the Holy Spirit), and when the miracles are greater (by the apostles) they will be even more condemned. When they see all that done in My name, My resurrection will be more certain. Now they can say, ‘this is the son of the carpenter and we know his father and mother.’ But when they see the bonds of death have become loose, evil eliminated, nature’s troubles repaired, demons cast out and when they see the abundant help of the Spirit all realized through My mission, what will they say? The Father testifies of Me and the Spirit will also be a testimony though He has testified from the beginning. Yes He will testify and convict.22 Saint John Chrysostom 21 The Mission of the Holy Spirit, in Toal 2:369-371. PG 74, 922 B2. 22 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Saint Augustine says that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself convicts the world of sin when He says, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin…” (John 15:22). He will convict them of righteousness, for He says, “O righteous Father! The world has not known You” (John 17:25). And He will convict the world of judgment, for He declares that He will say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels,” (Matt 25:41). Many statements occur in the Gospels to assert that the Lord Jesus Christ convicts of those matters. Why, then, does He ascribe this to the Holy Spirit as though this was a special attribute to Him? Saint Augustine answers that the Holy Spirit pours out in the hearts of the disciples (Rom 5:5) and grants them love that casts out fear (1 John 4: 18) so that they have the right to reprimand and convict. Saint Augustine continues, ‘I often say that the work of the Holy Trinity is not divided, but each Person of the Trinity has His role, not only without separation, but also without mingling. We rightly understand Their oneness and trinity (distinction)’23. “Of sin, Because they do not believe in Me.” [9] The Lord Christ elucidates the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world of sin by saying, "…because they do not believe in Me", [9]. If sin rules over the heart, there is no way for casting it out but by the coming of another ruler who is able to annihilate it. This power is the belief in Christ that controls the heart. Sin ruled and became the source of corruption and atrocity. Therefore, there was an urgent necessity for belief in the Savior who will remove corruption and atrocity and replace them with integrity and sanctity. Man broke the law when he sinned and he was cursed. In believing in Christ who fulfilled the law and suffered the curse for us, we become free of the deadly letter and the curse and we enjoy the life-giving Spirit and a blessed life. The sin of the Jews became extreme when they did not accept Him as the Messiah and Savior, even though He performed the signs foretold by the prophets (Is 35: 3-6). When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, some Jews confessed that sin and returned to God (Acts 2: 37). * As this sin seems to be the only sin, He mentions it before other sins. For, by persisting in it all other sins remain, and by removing it the other sins are removed.24 Saint Augustine * He convicts “of sin”: this means He will silence all their excuses and show that they disobeyed and their disobedience was exorbitant.25 23 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 95:1. 24 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 95:2. 25 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Saint John Chrysostom “Of righteousness, Because I go to My Father And you see Me no more.” [10] Concerning convicting of righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ says, “…because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more”, [10]. This means that He convicts them of not understanding the righteousness and holiness of Christ. His resurrection and ascension to heaven are a proof of His righteousness. Therefore, as the Lord ascends to heaven, He sends His Spirit to carry the human hearts to where Christ sits. They will then get in touch and experience His righteousness in them, or rather Christ will become righteousness for them. Convicting the world of sin refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in disclosing the reality of the world: that the world sins. But convicting the world of righteousness is exposing the reality of what the world did to Christ; that is His crucifixion. For, Christ’s redemptive suffering and crucifixion are for our righteousness. The Spirit that gives light to the eyes to see one’s sins gives them light also to comprehend the power of Christ’s death that grants righteousness. The Jews did not properly perceive the value of Moses the prophet until after he departed from our world. Many people also did not know Christ’s righteousness until His ascension to heaven. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in accordance to the divine promise is a proof of Christ’s exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 2: 33). This is an evidence of His divine righteousness. Saint Augustine asks why the Lord Jesus Christ said that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of righteousness because He (Christ) goes to His Father? He answers that when the Word became flesh and came from His Father He revealed His mercy to us. As He ascends to heaven and goes to the Father we rise with Him and seek things that are above where Christ sits. He sits at the right hand of the Father; He sits as the Head and Body, as though the Church that became a body obtains the right to sit in heaven at the right hand of God and enjoys Christ's righteousness.26 * Therefore, it is proper for us not to consider ourselves separate from that righteousness that the Lord Himself refers to, saying, “…of righteousness because I go to My Father.” For we, also, will ascend with Christ and be with Christ our Head. Now by faith and hope for sometime but our hope will be complete in the Last Resurrection. When our hope becomes complete our vindication also will be complete. The Lord who has completed this revealed to us why we need to hope in His body (that is in our Head), this body that rose and ascended to the Father. For it is written: “He was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification,” (Rom 4: 25). Thus, the world is convicted of sin in those who did not believe in Christ; and of righteousness in those who rose as members of Christ. For it is written: “…that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,” (2 Cor 5: 21). If we are not in Him we have 26 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 94: 3-5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ no path to righteousness. But if we are in Him He takes us entirely to the Father and His complete righteousness is realized in us.27 Saint Augustine * The Apostle states the command clearly: we must believe that the work of the Father and the work of the Son is one work.28 Saint Ambrose * When He convicts a righteous man (proud of his righteousness) He convicts him of sin, not of righteousness. Therefore, consider the divine words: ‘Be not righteous over much,’ (Eccl 7: 16, 20). These words are not addressed to the wise righteous person, but to the proud and arrogant. For the individual who becomes ‘righteous over much’, with that very excess becomes unrighteous. He makes himself too righteous by saying he is without sin and by imagining that he did not become righteous through God's grace but through his self sufficiency and will. He is not righteous and living a righteous life, but rather he is satisfied with imagining what in fact he is not.29 Saint Augustine * “Of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more” [10]. This means: ‘I have shown a life without blame and this is a proof that I shall go to the Father.’ As they always denounced Him saying He is not of God, and therefore, called Him a sinner and rebel, He says that the Spirit will take away also this excuse. For if I seem to them not to come from God and they call me lawless, when the Spirit declares that I go to God, not for a while but to dwell there… ‘and you see Me no more’ implies this…. what will they say? Notice how with these two points He removes their wicked doubt. For, neither the miracles nor dwelling with God may refer to someone wicked. You cannot say about such a man that he is wicked or is not of God. 30 Saint John Chrysostom “Of judgment, Because the ruler of this world is judged.” [11] Briefly, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin [9] granting faith to human beings and introducing to them the righteousness of the crucified Christ. He also judges the wicked world and grants the believers what belongs to the Son so that they may enjoy sharing the heavenly glory. Thus, the Holy Spirit presents three important facts relevant to our life: 27 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 94: 6. 28 Of the Christian Faith, 3: 11: 90. 29 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 95: 3. 30 Homilies on St. John, 78:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ (1) the corruption of our nature because of sin (2) correction of our nature so that we enjoy Christ’s righteousness (3) the eternal condemnation of evil. The Holy Spirit convicts of judgment “…because the ruler of this world is judged”, [11]. While the world thought that they had judged Christ and condemned Him, the Holy Spirit revealed to the believers that through the Cross, the enemy of good was judged and exposed (Col 2: 15). Satan has been exposed as an impostor and a destroyer of mankind. The nations began to reject and abandon worshipping him when they heard the gospel of Christ’s Cross. The work of the Holy Spirit is an affirmation that Christ is greater and stronger than Satan. Christ grants His disciples authority to trample on the powers of darkness. The believer experiences in his daily life the pledge of authority that he received so that he may enjoy it completely the Day of Judgment, when Satan is judged and the believer obtains remarkable honor. Man will occupy the excellent heavenly degree from which Satan and all his soldiers fell. For this reason the verb “is judged” carries the sense of continuity, for the victory over the powers of darkness is a daily continuous work. * Again, the world is convicted “…of judgment, because the ruler of the world is judged”: that is Satan the ruler of the wicked. Satan dwells in the heart of this ‘world’ alone. He dwells in the hearts of those who love ‘the world’ just as our dwelling is in heaven if we are raised with Christ. Thus, just as Christ and we, His body, are one, likewise Satan with all the sinful whom he rules are one body. Therefore, just as we are not separate from righteousness about whom the Lord said, ‘I go to My Father’, similarly the sinful are not separate from that judgment that Christ said, “…because the ruler of this world is judged.”31 * The ruler of this world is the ruler of darkness or of those who do not believe in Christ. Whoever liberates himself from this world is told, “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Eph 5: 8). The ruler of this world about whom Christ says in a different speech, “…now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12: 31) is, indeed, judged as determined, and condemned to eternal fire.32 Saint Augustine * As he is judged through Me, they will know who will trample on him later. They will know My resurrection clearly, that is the sign of who judges the ruler of this world. For he is incapable of holding Me. While they said that I have a demon and that I am a deceiver, all these events will reveal they are false. For, I could not have won if I was under sin. But now he is judged and cast out.33 Saint John Chrysostom 31 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 94:6. 32 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 95:4. 33 Homilies on St. John, 78: 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “I still have many things to say to you, But you cannot bear them now.” [12] The Lord Jesus Christ declared to them that He had many things that He did not desire to tell them because they would not be able to accept such things at that time. For, in Him, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. * Therefore, it is better for you that I depart if you would bear those things through My departure. What will happen? Is the Spirit greater than You and therefore we cannot endure now but later we can? Will the Spirit work better and more perfectly? No. It is not so. For the Spirit also speaks My work.34 Saint John Chrysostom * At that time when Christ said to them, “You cannot follow Me now…” (John 13: 36), the disciples were not ready to die for Christ’s sake. However, later, innumerable men, women, children, boys and girls, young men and young women, old and young obtained the crown of martyrdom. The flock was ready for the sacrifice that the shepherds could not bear when the Lord said those words.35 * Well, would we accept this matter as willingly? Many can bear those things since the Holy Spirit has come; though the disciples could not bear them before the coming of the Holy Spirit.36 * Although I yearn, ask, and pray with all zeal that the Lord uses you to remove my ignorance in this matter, yet though I am unworthy, God forbid! I ask the Lord our God patiently and I believe that I shall not complain if He refuses to open when I knock. I shall remember His words: “I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now,” (Jn 16: 12).37 Saint Augustine “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; For He will not speak on His own authority, But whatever He hears He will speak; And He will tell you things to come.” [13] The Lord Jesus Christ promised they would enjoy the coming of the “Spirit of truth” who will guide them into all truth. The Lord had introduced Himself to them saying, “I am the truth.” Whoever obtains Him has the truth. But how may they obtain Him? Through the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of truth. The Spirit works in them, and makes them firm in Christ who is the divine Truth. 34 Homilies on St. John, 78: 2. 35 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 96: 1. 36 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 96: 2. 37 Letters, 166: 27. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Did the Lord Jesus Christ conceal the truth from His disciples? He came to the world to offer the truth. He spoke to His disciples as much as they could bear, and He spoke to the multitude according to their capability. But they were unable to accept all the truth. He therefore sent His Holy Spirit to guide them and take them into new depths of the truth. Moreover, the Lord affirmed that the Spirit of truth does not teach anything contrary to what the Lord teaches. The Spirit hears from the Father in harmony with the Son, and utters what He hears for the glory of the Holy Trinity and the salvation of mankind. The Spirit of God leads believers to prophecy (Rom 8: 14). He takes them through the road; He guides and accompanies them. He remains their support until they reach the end where they enjoy all the truth. He is like the captain of a ship who knows all the water ways, and navigates taking the passengers to the mainland safely. He is the Spirit of truth and He guides the believer only to the truth (1 John 3: 27). He speaks what gives us growth and helps us toward future matters. And, as is written in Joel, “It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2: 28). This prophecy was realized as seen in Acts 11: 28; 20: 23; 21: 11. The Spirit also spoke about apostasy in the latter times (1 Timothy 4: 1). * He announced that without the Spirit we should live like small children. He said the Spirit will come and will change the small children into strong men through growth spiritually. He pointed that out, not to put the strength of the Spirit first, but to show that the perfect strength is in knowing the Trinity.38 * The Son of God says concerning the Holy Spirit that He does not speak in His own authority. This means that the Spirit speaks in association with the Father and the Son. For, the Spirit is not separate or detached; He speaks what He hears. This means the Spirit does not speak without the Son, for He speaks the truth and breathes wisdom. He does not speak without the Father, for He is the Spirit of God. He does not hear on His own, for all things are from God. Therefore, what the Spirit says is the word of the Son, for the Spirit says nothing on His own authority. For the Trinity speaks of nothing outside Himself.39 * This does not mean hearing whatever real, palpable words, but rather means the unity of will and strength that is in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whatever the Spirit says, the Son says here (Jn 16: 13). Let us learn that what the Spirit says, the Son also says and what the Son says the Father also says. For, the work of the Trinity is one in thought and one in characteristic.40 Saint Ambrose * He said to His disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, “He will tell you.” He thus raised their distinguished understanding because human beings in general are more at ease when they know the future events. They had asked Him about that matter. Peter asked, “Lord, where are You 38 Of the Holy Spirit, Book 3: 14: 99. 39 Of the Holy Spirit, 2: 12 (131, 133, 134). 40 Of the Christian Faith, 5: 11 (133). https://coptic-treasures.com/ going?” (Jn 13: 36). Thomas also said, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; and how can we know the way?” (Jn 14: 5). Now, He relieves them by making it clear that the Holy Spirit will tell them everything that is hidden. If you remark, ‘Why the Lord Christ did not give the Holy Spirit to His disciples before He left them?’ I answer, ‘Because the curse had not been removed and our sin had not been forgiven. Therefore, it was not fitting that the Holy Spirit comes when all people were convicted. It is as though the Lord Christ says, ‘The hostility must be resolved; we must first make peace with our God, then accept this grant.’ Saint John Chrysostom Saint Augustine observes that the disciples, even after the crucifixion, the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Christ, were unable to comprehend such facts of belief as that He who created the world was the One crucified. That He was the Son of God who broke the way the Jews kept the Sabbath. Also the disciples could not understand that God was One Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; or that the Son was of one essence with and equal etc. to the Father. The disciples did not grasp all those facts clearly except through the Holy Spirit. When they were granted the Spirit love and zeal in the spirit filled their hearts that were enlightened with the knowledge of the truth.41 *Therefore, dear beloved, you must not expect to hear us saying to you what the Lord refrained from imparting to His disciples because they could not bear such information. You must rather desire to grow in the love that the Holy Spirit granted to you pours in your hearts (Rom 5: 5). Thus, in your love for the spiritual and in the fervor of your spirit you can know the spiritual light. This will happen not through any sign that the corporal eyes see or a sound that rings in the corporal ear, but through the inner vision and hearing. You will then bear the spiritual word that the worldly people cannot endure. For, it is not possible to love the unknown. However, when a thing is known, even to a small degree, that thing is loved and with that same love a person obtains better and more complete knowledge. If you grow in the love that the Holy Spirit pours in your hearts “He will teach you all the truth”, or as is written in some manuscripts, “He will guide you into all truth.” As it was said, “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your Truth” (Ps 86:11). The result is that you will learn those things that the LORD refrained to speak of at that time. You will know them not through teachers outside, but “you will be taught by God” (John 6: 45). Well, yes, now I have told you some things that have the same quality and you have accepted them. You have not only endured them, but you have also listened joyfully. For, this inner teacher who while He spoke externally to His disciples, said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now,” [12]. He wishes to speak to us inwardly about what concerns God’s nature that is not incarnate. He wants to speak about that as He speaks to the angels who always see God’s face, but we are unable to endure that. Therefore, when He says, “He will teach you all the truth” or “He will guide you into all truth” [13], I do not think that the fulfillment is possible in any man’s mind in this life. For, what man who lives in this corrupt body that resists the spirit can know all the truth? The Apostle says, “now, I know in part.” But, the knowledge of all the truth can be realized only through the 41 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 96: 3. Cf. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Holy Spirit whose fervor we obtain now (2 Cor 1: 22). After that we shall obtain perfect knowledge that the same Apostle talks about saying, “…then face to face” (1 Cor 13: 12).42 Saint Augustine * This is our renewal; it makes of us an image of God again. This happens through the regenerating washing of the Holy Spirit that restores us so that we become God’s children. We become a new creation again through the communion of the Spirit who delivers us from what was old. 43 Saint Basil the Great Saint Augustine comments on the Lord Christ’s words concerning the Holy Spirit that, “He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come,” [13]. Saint Augustine says that as the Spirit proceeds from the Father (John 15: 26) eternally, He is from the Father and not from Himself. He is one with the Father in essence and in equality. He is from the Father and has the same knowledge. He hears from the Father from Whom He proceeds. To Him, hearing is knowledge, and knowledge is His existence that we have previously discussed. As He is not from Himself, but from Whom He proceeds and from Whom He has His existence, and knowledge (hearing is nothing but knowledge), that hearing is eternal because knowledge is eternal. What is eternal has neither beginning nor end. The verbs ‘hears, knows’ may be used in any tense, past, present, or future.44 “He will glorify Me, For He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” [14] The coming of the Holy Spirit and His work glorify the Son. For, the Father glorifies Him in heaven, and the Holy Spirit glorifies Him on earth. The Holy Spirit comes in the name of Christ. He works for the benefit of Christ’s kingdom realizing the message of His gospel. He does not come to establish another kingdom; it is the very kingdom of Christ that is also that of the Father. For, everything that belongs to the Son, belongs to the Father. And what is the Father’s is also the Son’s. As Christ became Son of Man, the Father gave the Son what is His for our sake. The Son, in turn, entrusted the work to the Holy Spirit. This proves the unity of the Trinity in work. “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” [15] The faithful who are baptized in the name of Christ enjoy fellowship with Him in His death and His resurrection in a manner that is not controlled by the outward senses. This is achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit who comes from heaven when the priest calls Him, just as the Lord Christ decreed in His holy church. This is the Spirit who takes of Christ’s and gives us (John 16: 15). 42 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 96: 4. 43 Ad. Eunom. 5 44 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 99: 4-5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The Spirit gives us this sacrament with Christ’s grace because “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3: 5). “Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1: 3-4). “He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you,” (John 16: 14). According to Vulcanists45 the intrinsic relationship of the three hypostases is that no one of the three can accept anything from one of the other two except through ‘emanation’46. Photius believes that those words do not mean that the Holy Spirit takes from what is the Son’s, but rather what is the Father’s because the Lord Christ did not say “He will take of Me” but said “He will take of what is Mine.” The first statement means that He will take of Me personally, but the second statement speaks of another person who has family relationship with the speaker. 47 The LORD added, “All things that the Father has are Mine.” Therefore, what the Spirit takes that is Mine, He takes from the Father.48 What the Spirit takes, here, is not of the divine essence, but rather of the characteristics of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we may take the image of the Son (Rom 8: 29). * “All things that the Father has are Mine.” What, then, is more clear than this unity? All things that the Father has are the Son’s, and all things that are the Son’s the Holy Spirit also accepts.49 * He has accepted everything from the Father by rights of His eternal birth of Him. The Father appears in His full glory (He loses nothing by what He gives to the Son).50 * “All things that the Father has are Mine” does not mean that the Father granted Him all that, but rather means that what He receives from the Father is His right because He is the Son born of the Father.51 * There is no matter improbable since the Son has the same will that the Father has.52 3 – The Promise That He Will See Them after His Resurrection “A little while, and you will not see Me; And again a little while and you will see Me, Because I go to the Father.” [16] 45 That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. See the article about Vulcanus in the dialogue with the Catholic Church. 46 Cross: Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 1985, p. 423. 47 Photius: De S. Spiritus Mystaggia 22. 48 Photius: De S. Spiritus Mystaggia 29. 49 Of the Holy Spirit, 2: 11 (118). 50 Of the Holy Spirit Book 3: 18: 223. 51 Of the Christian Faith, 4: 8: 80. 52 Of the Christian Faith, 2: 6: 51. https://coptic-treasures.com/ As the Lord Christ goes the way of suffering and death, He departs temporarily in the flesh from them; this He describes as “a little while.” Then He reappears to them after His resurrection and gives them peace and comfort. A little while He dies and disappears; then He is risen and after a little while He ascends to heaven to the Father. Then He returns on the clouds to take His Church to everlasting glory. Thus, sooner or later, time is always a little while because there is no comparison between time and eternity. The apostle saint Peter says, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the LORD one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The LORD is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us.” (2 Peter 3: 8-9) As though Christ says, ‘My role necessitates that I leave you, but this is for your good, for your salvation and glory.’ * “And again a little while and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” He makes it clear, here, that He will not perish; His death is but a passing away. This is a declaration to them that He will return and that His departure is for a little while because He will come back. Their separation will be for a few moments, but His presence will be continuous.53 Saint John Chrysostom “Then some of His disciples said among themselves, ‘What is this that He says to us, A little while, and you will not see Me, And again a little while, and you will see Me’ And because I go to the Father.’ [17] They said therefore, ‘What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” [18] The Lord Christ took pity on them when He saw they were confused and did not understand what He said. For, no one dared to ask Him, but they whispered among themselves asking each other what Christ meant. He did not abandon them in their perplexity, but began to explain what He said. * The disciples did not understand what the Lord Christ told them. Here, He wonders how in spite of hearing these words several times, they seemed as though they never heard them. The Lord Christ said those words in His counsel to His disciples clarifying His great love for them and disclosing His Self, who He is. Saint John Chrysostom “Now Jesus knew what they desired to ask Him, And He said to them, Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? [19] Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, But the world will rejoice; 53 Hom. 79. PG 59 – 465. https://coptic-treasures.com/ And you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” [20] As the disciples did not understand what He meant, He told them frankly that they would be sorrowful because of His Passion, crucifixion and death. He knew that they longed for knowledge and He, therefore, explained to them that matter. He did not give them the details, but He rather spoke about what would happen to them, about their feelings of sorrow and joy. He did not say more lest their bewilderment may increase. However, He affirmed that this would lead to their joy and enjoyment of the second birth. The evil people find their happiness in the sadness and suffering of the saints, whereas the believer finds his joy in sharing the pain of those who suffer. He considers the misery of any man as being his own personally. * He showed them that after sorrow there will be joy and that sorrow will bring about joy. Sorrow will be for a short period. Saint John Chrysostom * We understand that the disciples will be sorrowful because of Christ’s death, but will be soon filled with joy because of His resurrection. As for the ‘world’ by which He means the enemies who kill Christ, they will certainly be ecstatic for killing Him, when at the same time the disciples will be sorrowful.54 Saint Augustine “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow Because her hour has come, But as soon as she has given birth to the child, She no longer remembers the anguish, For joy that a human being has been born into the world.” [21] He did not promise He would abolish anguish, but He promised to introduce a new meaning of pain. Pain will be like labor pains. It is followed by the birth of the child and joy replaces pain. * What He says is as follows, ‘You will suffer labor pains but these sudden pains will bring you joy.’ These words affirm His resurrection. This journey is like a passage from the womb to daylight. To become a mother, a woman crosses a passage as in sorrow. Here also is inherent that the pangs of death are endured so that a newborn may result from them. He did not only say that the sorrow will go, but also that we shall not remember it. How great is the joy that follows! This is what will happen to the saints. Here He says '‘… human being', not a child, has been born. This is related to His resurrection, that a man is not born of the pangs of death, but is born of the Kingdom.55 Saint John Chrysostom “Therefore you now have sorrow; 54 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 101: 2. 55 Hom. 79. PG. 59: 466. https://coptic-treasures.com/ But I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, And your joy no one will take from you.” [22] Although we shall enjoy full joy in eternity, yet we receive the pledge here on earth that we may live in continuous internal joy (2 Cor 6: 10). The happiness caused by the pleasures and attractions of the world turns quickly to sadness because the world changes continually. On the other hand, spiritual sorrow changes quickly to joy forever because the joy in Christ is constant. He gives us the reason of the joy that no one can take away. This reason is that He will appear to us and see us as members of His body. We shall see Him as our Head. For, this seems as One who has forsaken us for a short moment, but has returned and with great mercy and rich grace has gathered us (Is 54: 7). His return is a return of joy to the heart. He returns as the true source of perpetual inner joy and satisfaction of the spirit. This joy no man or event can take from us because nothing can usurp the spirit from the Savior or take a man’s spirit from the love of Christ. * “Your joy no one will take from you” [22] because their joy is Jesus Himself.56 Saint Augustine * He mentioned that example to make clear the temporary sorrow and the permanent joy and that the benefit gained from the Savior is great. Saint John Chrysostom 4 – Answering Their Prayers The second reason for their perpetual joy is that as Christ reveals Himself to them and sees them, they will be linked to the Father and whatever they ask Him in Christ’s name they will obtain. He blames them for not asking for anything in His name until then so that their joy may be complete. And, what will they require but that the Holy Trinity resides in them?! “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” [23] They do not need to ask for anything now that the Lord Christ has revealed Himself to them, for in Him is all satisfaction. The Lord Christ risen from the dead thus reveals Himself in the heart and so fulfills all needs. They ask for nothing because the Holy Spirit grants them all the truth and guides them into it so that they enjoy Christ’s Kingdom. * If you ask: “What is the meaning of the words of the Lord Christ, ‘whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you’?” We answer, “This means that they do not need a mediator, but if they mention His name alone they will be rewarded by receiving everything they require. This demonstrates the power of His name.” Saint John Chrysostom 56 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 101: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ * At this present time the Church is in the state of labor pains longing for the fruit of her struggle. But then she will give birth to real meditation. Now she moans in labor, but then she will give birth joyfully. Now she gives birth through her prayers, but then she will give birth through Praise.57 * The Lord is not slow concerning His promise. A little while and we shall see Him, then we shall ask nothing because we shall not yearn for anything and there will be nothing concealed that we may ask about. That little while seems to us to be long because it still continues and will end. Then we shall feel how that period was a little while.58 * In the world to come as we reach the Kingdom and become like Him for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3: 2), what then shall we demand since He will satisfy all our desires with good things (Ps 103: 5)? As is written in another Psalm “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Ps 17: 15). One asks when one needs something. This has no place where there is abundance.59 Saint Augustine “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, That your joy may be full.” [24] They had not asked for anything until that moment. However, when He who will teach them to pray comes, they will ask for union with God the Father through the only begotten Son in the Holy Spirit. * The Lord Jesus knows that a man’s spirit, that is to say, his rational mind that was created in the Lord’s image, cannot be satisfied except by Him alone. He knows that He is revealed and that He is concealed. He knows that in Him what is hidden has been revealed. He knows all that. The Psalm says, “O how great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord, which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee! Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee,” (Ps 30: 20 LXX Vulgate) Your kindness is great and varied. You concealed it for those who fear You. For whom You will disclose it? For those who hope in You. A double question was raised, but one part of it solved the other part. Are those who fear You different from those who hope in You? Are those who fear God the same as those who hope in Him? There is fear of the law, and hope in grace. The law warns those who are self-confident; grace helps those who trust in God. You serve the law, but if there is no grace, you are punished so that you cry, “O wretched man that I am” (Rom 7: 24). You know that you are conquered and 57 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 101: 5. 58 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 101: 6. 59 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 102: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ your strength is degraded so you say, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” This is how the law warns whoever depends on himself. Observe here is a human being who is self-dependent. He tries to struggle; he is prostrate and enslaved and is soon captured. Whoever learns to depend on God while the law kept warning him not to depend on himself grace supports him. As he relies on God, in trust he says: “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord,” (Rom 7: 24-25, Vulgate). Now contemplate His goodness, taste it and enjoy it. Listen to the Psalm, “O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet” (Ps 33: 9 Vulgate). He is good to you because He delivers you. You lived in your bitterness when you relied on yourself. Now drink of His goodness and accept the enthusiasm of this great overflow.60 * What you ask for is nothing compared to what I desire to give you. For, what will you ask for in My name? That the demons become subject to you. Do not rejoice in that, for that is nothing; if it was worthwhile He would have told them to rejoice. “That your joy may be full” means ask for what may fill you. When you ask for temporary things you ask for nothing. “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again.” (John 4: 13) Ask for what gratifies you. Speak Philip’s language: ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ The Lord said to him, “Have I been so long a time with you and have you not known Me? Philip, he that sees Me sees the Father also.” (John 14: 9 Vulgate). Offer thanksgiving to Christ who became weak for your sake because you are weak. Let your desires be for Christ’s divinity so that you may be filled with it.61 * His words, “…whatever you ask…” do not mean just asking for anything. They mean rather asking for something that is truly pertaining to the blessed life. The words that follow, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name” [24] may have two meanings: either that you have not asked in My name because until now you have not known My name as you should. Or, you asked for nothing compared to what you should have asked. What you asked for may be considered as nothing.62 Saint Augustine “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; But the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, But I will tell you plainly about the Father.” [25] 60 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 95: 1-5. 61 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 95: 6. 62 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 102: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ He offers us great knowledge concerning the Father so that we may feel His fatherhood, enter His mysteries, and contemplate His extreme glory. The Father will not be strange to us and this will give us full joy. In spite of all that He explained to them, still He did not reveal all the divine mysteries because they could not bear them then. He spoke to them in figurative language, not plainly. But after His resurrection, His ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, He will speak to them about the mysteries plainly. * As though the Lord Christ says to them, ‘At My resurrection you will understand all My words perfectly.’ Saint John Chrysostom Saint Augustine interprets the word ‘the hour’, or ‘the time’ here as meaning the future when we see God face to face. It is as St. Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known,"(1 Cor 13: L 12). “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you” [26] As though He says, ‘I do not need to tell you that I shall not stop asking the Father for you through My Blood that was shed for you. My love for you will not cease and the love of the Father for you will not end.’ * How will the Son not ask the Father, for rather the Father and the Son listen to those who ask. No one can comprehend this except with the spiritual mental eye.63 Saint Augustine “For the Father Himself loves you, Because you have loved Me, And have believed that I came forth from God.” [27] The secret behind the Father’s love for the faithful is their faith working through love (Gal 5: 6). Through their love for the Son they enjoy the Father’s love for them. The faithful then feel free to ask the Father, not in fear, but in the privilege they have, that is the love of their heavenly Father who loves His children. * The reason for our love is that God loves us. Certainly, our love for God is a divine gift. He gave us this grace, that we love Him. He loved us when we did not love Him. Even when we did not please Him, He loved us so that we may become a cause of joy to His eyes. For, we could not love the Son if we did not love the Father also. The Father loves us because we love the Son. We yearn to obtain from the Father and the Son the ability to love the Father and the 63 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 102: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Son because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Spirit of the Father and Son (Rom 5: 5). Through the Spirit whom we love, we love both the Father and the Son. Therefore, God promotes that pious love in us and with it we worship Him. He saw that it was good and on that basis He Himself loved what He promoted in us. However, He would not have worked in us if He did not love to work in us.64 Saint Augustine 5 – His Ascension to Heaven “I came forth from the Father And have come into the world. Again, I leave the world And go to the Father.” [28] Here, the Lord speaks to them openly about His incarnation that ends in His ascension so that He may carry the believing humanity with Him. This is the secret of His love, that He appeared in the flesh and carried us to glory. He came forth from the Father who dedicated Him to this world and sealed Him. He descended to our world with amazing humility and great divine love. Then, He left the world in the flesh and returned in His ascension to the Father. This is the mystery of the entire Gospel: the divine incarnation, His death in the flesh, then His resurrection and His ascension to heaven. This is the key of heaven! * He says, “I came forth from God” announcing thus that His nature is the same given to Him at His birth.65 * “I came forth from the Father, and have come into the world.” The last clause is a reference to His incarnation. The first refers to His essence.66 Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers * When Christ says that He “came forth” from the Father, do not imagine a change in place as that happening to the people. Do not interpret “I have come” in the language of motion, but rather as referring to His incarnation.67 Saint John Chrysostom * He was speaking about His physical suffering and His resurrection and through His resurrection, those who doubted became believers. For, He truly is God who is omnipresent and does not cross from one place to another. But as a man, He leaves but by Himself. He, 64 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 102: 5. 65 On the Trinity, 6 (31). 66 On the Trinity, 6 (31). 67 In 1 Cor. Hom. 20. https://coptic-treasures.com/ therefore, says in another context, “Arise let us go from here,” (John 14: 31). He thus leaves and comes. This is the common thing He shares with us.68 Saint Ambrose * He came forth from the Father because He is of the Father. He came into the world to reveal to the world the body that He took from the Virgin. He left the world by withdrawing in the flesh and He went to the Father by ascending as a man. However, He did not leave the world by withdrawing His active presence that rules the world.69 Saint Augustine 6 – His Abandonment during His Suffering His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, And using no figure of speech!” [29] The gentle loving rebuke of the Lord Jesus Christ gave them confidence and the feeling that He was speaking plainly, and answering the questions they thought about, and could not express or find answers for. The disciples felt He was speaking to them quite frankly and plainly, especially that they believed He was the Messiah for the entire world, knew all things and nothing was hidden from Him. He tests the hearts and minds. He does not need anyone to ask Him, for He knows the secrets, thoughts, and hidden requirements of every one. Saint Augustine observes that the disciples thought He was speaking to them openly and using no figure of speech, though the hour had not yet come when this would be realized according to His divine promise. This was achieved when He completed His words saying, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own,” [32]70. “Now we are sure that You know all things, And have no need that anyone should question you. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” [30] As though they declared, ‘You have known the misgivings that caused us to doubt even before we revealed them and You gave us peace as You said, “for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me,”’ [27]. Saint John Chrysostom Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?”[31] The Lord Christ answers “Do you now believe?” Will your belief remain steadfast? The hour has come, that you will be scattered and leave Me! 68 On the Holy Spirit, Book 2: 8: 80. 69 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 102: 6. 70 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 104: 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ * May men not set aside thinking about the Son when they read about God alone, or stop thinking about the Father when they read about the Son only. The Son on earth is not without the Father (John 10: 30). How then may you think that the Father is in heaven without the Son? The Son in the flesh is not alone. It is written, “I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” So do you think that the Father dwells alone in the light?71 Saint Ambrose “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has come, That you will be scattered, each to his own, And will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, Because the Father is with Me.” [32] The Lord came to take our place so that we may enjoy sharing His glory. We all often feel isolated. Our parents may be with us, but we cry with David, “My father and my mother forsook me.” Our friends and beloved may surround us, but we groan, “No one shares my feelings or understands my deep thoughts.” These are the screams of the spirit that sin has broken and alienated us from God, the real provider. There is no one who can fill the inner void. But now that the Lord Jesus Christ has come without sin, He does not feel isolated because He is never separate from the Father and His Holy Spirit. Yet, He was alone among men; He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. When the time of His suffering came, His disciples left Him and He was alone. However, He declares, “I am not alone, because the Father is with Me,” [32]. This is the cry of victory of every spirit that unites with the suffering Christ. For, that spirit will not feel secluded or alone since God dwells in that spirit and never goes away. 7 – His Victory for Them “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [33] Through faith Christ enters our hearts and we enjoy His victory for us. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5: 4-5). The peace that the Lord Jesus Christ gives them offers the blessed, glorious life so that they may enjoy the spirit of strength and victory along with the heavenly comfort and divine support. 71 On the Christian Faith, Book 3: 3: 22-33. https://coptic-treasures.com/ He does not conceal from them the fact that in the world they will have tribulation. However, He asks them to be of good cheer in the middle of tribulation because He will be revealed in their life as overcoming the sinful world. It is said that an artist wished to present a painting of peace. He chose to paint a very stormy day and a huge rock that was battered by waves on all sides. In this painting there was a ship that was wrecked by the waves and corpses of sailors and passengers floated on the water in the middle of a vortex. A dove that built a nest in a hole in the middle of the rock lay there quite secure. The artist then wrote the word “Peace” on the rock directly below that hole. Thus is our peace in Jesus Christ the Rock of ages. In Him we dwell and have rest amid the vortex and tribulations of life. * The Lord tells His disciples that in the world they will have tribulation. This means that as long as they are in the world they will be oppressed. This will happen not only in the present, but also in the future. * He allows us also to overcome by looking up to the Head of our faith. We walk the same path that He passed through for our sake. We are not dead because we struggle with death. We are immortal because of our victory. Does death corrupt our bodies? So what? Our bodies will not remain corrupt, but will rather be in a better state. Let us then overcome the world. Let us run toward eternity. Let us follow the King. Let us prepare the memorial of victory. Let us despise the worldly pleasures. We do not need much effort to achieve this. Let us turn to heaven so that we may conquer the world! When you do not desire the world, you overcome it. When you deride it you vanquish it. We are strangers and passengers. Let us not grieve for any sad thing related to the world.72 Saint John Chrysostom * We trust in Him who says, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” [33], because with His help and protection we conquer Satan our enemy.73 * Why does He say to us “Be of good cheer”, but that He has overcome for our sake and has fought for our sake? How did He fight? He fought by taking our nature for Himself. He overcame for us as He revealed to us His resurrection. Cling, O man, to God who created you a man. Cling fast to Him and put your trust in Him. 72 Homilies on St. John, 78: 3. 73 Letters, 39. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Pray that He may be your strength. Say to Him, ‘In You, O Lord, is my strength.’ Then, you will sing when people threaten you. And what you will sing are the words the Lord Himself has told you, “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid, what can man do to me?” (Ps 56: 11)74. * In the trials they faced after His glorification they accepted the Holy Spirit and they did not leave the Lord Christ. They fled from city to city but they did not run away from Him. As trials overtook them in the world, they found peace in Him. Instead of wandering away from Him, they rather found their refuge in Him. The Holy Spirit worked in them and thus they realized Christ’s words, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” [33]. Believers in Christ are joyful and victorious, but in whom? In Him since He conquers the world because His members overcome the world. For this reason the Apostle says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory” and adds immediately, “through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Cor 15: 57)75. Saint Augustine 74 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 67: 4. 75 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 103: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Meditations Inspired by the Gospel of John Chapter 16 * Do Not Leave Me Alone! * Look, the world aims its arrows at Me! They think My death serves God and them! My solace is that they wanted to be free of You not knowing You are their Savior They wished to be free of Me yet I shall not stop loving them. * Do not leave me alone. As You have been tried, You can help the suffering ones like me! You have ascended to Your heaven But You have not abandoned me, for You fill heaven and earth. * You have sent Your Holy Spirit, the source of my comfort To convict me of sin, so that I trust in Him who forgives my sins. To convict me of righteousness, so that I may appear before the Father concealed in Your righteousness! To convict me of judgment, so that I may see Satan condemned under my feet! * May Your Spirit guide me May He show me Your entire truth So that I may know Your plan for me! By filling me You are revealed in me I see, hear, and feel Your love! + Your sweet Spirit overflows with Your sweetness in me Amid the suffering of the world I enjoy Your divine comfort He carries me to You in the garden alone. All have abandoned You, but no one can separate You from Your Father Give me, in my solitude, the joy of feeling Your divine presence! Yes, I pray You not to leave me alone. AMEN
Welcome