There are many things in life that are important to guard. I remember as a young man hearing Larry Byrd give a motivational speech in which he said that intense practice guards our skills as athletes. Notice the language, “guards.” What is implied is that we are given gifts: be it athletics, public speaking, playing a musical instrument, or singing. We don’t grow it or develop it. It is a gift that must be guarded, watched, protected.
So too it is with the spiritual gifts we are given. Though we have eternal life, we must participate in the gift by “living a life worthy of the calling we have received" (Ephesians 5:1). Here today in this text Jesus is continuing to prepare His disciples (including us) for the journey ahead. As he said in chapter 15:3ff “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” And then the repetition of “Remain in Me!” again and again.
This is the key to the success of our calling and our spiritual duty. Jesus is preparing His disciples by assuring them that the way is perilous and the content is suffering and even death to some. The old proverb, “No one said it would be easy,” summarizes the statements of our text today. Indeed, the Christian life, especially one that is true to the calling of proclaiming the Gospel is not easy, but the rewards both in the here and now and eternally are filled with joy and enrichment. Jesus starts this discourse with the words, “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.” We are called to a mission not achievable without help - and the help is coming!
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February 15, 2015 | Pastor John Bayles | Before I Leave You: Help for a Hard Task | John 16:1-11
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