¹ “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.”

Jesus used a common training tool with His disciples, telling them about the problems they will have, before they get there—so the surprise element won’t stumble them. In fact, the entire Upper Room discourse was designed to prepare them for life and ministry and persecution.

Jesus gave them at least three reasons for this last night of teaching. First He wanted for them blessing, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). His words were intended to help them experience life to the fullest (see John 10:10). Second, “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you…” (John 14:25). His teaching was like a place-holder, and would become fully alive to them when the Holy Spirit came. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26). Third, in our passage today His words were intended to prepare the disciples for things coming which would otherwise stumble them.

The word “stumble” (Greek skandalizo) is used 25 times in the gospels, most frequently with the meaning of “be appalled” or “to cause to sin.” We can see at the least the first meaning in our English word, “scandalize,” which means, “to shock someone with an action or opinion thought of as immoral or wrong.” Jesus didn’t want them to be shocked at the persecution that was going to come. This warning, or should I say preparation, remains for us today. We need to get used to the idea that suffering will come. As followers of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), we have signed over our primal claim to a suffering-free life. We take up our place among the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us and suffered for their faith. (Hebrews 12:1).

The NT speaks so much about suffering that only the most worldly-minded should be surprised when it happens to them. Though we don’t desire it by any means, we must expect it. We must be ready for it, by imbibing Jesus’ teachings, letting them marinate in our souls—so that we are ready when it comes. Peter could never forget his Master’s teaching and passed it on to the persecuted Christians: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:12–14).

Lord, I anticipate suffering and I willingly accept this in following You.