And Yet I Am Not Alone, Because the Father is With Me…

 

His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 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."

Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now 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. 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."—John 16:31-33

As the disciples profess their loyalty and belief, Jesus does not seem as sure of their devotion as they seem to be. He asks them, “Do you now believe?”  Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone!" 

"Strike the Shepherd,

And the sheep will be scattered;—Zechariah 13:7

Despite the disciples best intentions…they soon fulfilled this prophecy by deserting Jesus after He was arrested. Peter, not only deserted Him but denied Him as well. As weak, frail and fallen human beings we can often do as the disciples did here. Truly, we are no better.

Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”—1 Corinthians 10:12

I can’t fathom the depth of what Jesus says in the very next verse. Such a blessed truth!  What a beautiful reminder to not only the disciples’ hearts but our own as well.

And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 

Was there ever a Man as alone as Jesus was when He became sin for us on the cross at Calvary?  All forsook Him. No one could understand or could sympathize with what He was about to face.  In a few short moments, He would bear the sin of the entire world and take on all the sorrow that accompanied it as well.  Spurgeon describes it this way:

Alone! Alone!" Never was there a human being so much alone as was the Man, Christ Jesus, in that dread hour! And yet He says, "I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." O brave Master, make us also brave! May we be willing to stand alone for Your sake, and to feel that we are never so little alone as when we are alone with You!

Beloved…Memorize these few short words. 

And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 

Tuck them down deep into your heart so they are there when you need to remember them. Even if at this very moment, you lost “everyone and everything” you would still have all that you needed because Jesus would still be with you.  He has promised to never to leave us or forsake us. He is in the midst of every one of our trials and His grace is sufficient for all that we face. 

In Jesus we have peace. In this world we are promised  tribulation, but we can still  be of good cheer.  He has overcome the world. “And in that overcoming He has conquered for you, also, and He guarantees to you the victory in His name!”  In Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, we are more than conquerors.

And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."—John 8:29

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.—Psalm 73:25-26

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8:37-39

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

O my soul, you have said to the LORD,

"You are my Lord,

My goodness is nothing apart from You."

As for the saints who are on the earth,

"They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."

Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;

Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,

Nor take up their names on my lips.

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;

My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16