*John 14:15-31
Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit as a helper and emphasizes the importance of keeping his commandments.
- Promise of the Holy Spirit:
- Jesus tells his disciples that if they love him, they will keep his commandments.
- He promises to ask the Father to send them another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who will be with them forever.
- The Spirit’s Role:
- Jesus assures his disciples that the Spirit will dwell with them and be in them, offering them guidance and comfort.
- He promises that he will not leave them as orphans but will come to them through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
- Peace and Reassurance:
- Jesus tells his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid, for he is leaving them with his peace.
- He emphasizes that the peace he gives is not like the world’s peace but is a gift from him, providing comfort and strength amidst trials.
- The World’s Rejection:
- Jesus acknowledges that the world does not know the Spirit because it does not see him or know him.
- He assures his disciples that they do know the Spirit because he dwells with them and will be in them.
- Jesus’ Departure and Return:
- Jesus explains that he is telling them all these things while he is still with them.
- He assures them that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in his name, will teach them everything and remind them of all that he has said to them.
John 14:15-31 teaches us that if we love Jesus, we will follow His teachings, and He will give us the Holy Spirit to help and guide us. Jesus also promises His peace, a deep peace that stays with us no matter what happens. We can apply this by choosing to obey God in our daily lives, trusting that His way is best. When we feel worried or afraid, we can remember that the Holy Spirit is always with us, giving us strength and wisdom. Instead of letting fear control us, we can rest in the peace that Jesus gives, knowing He is always near.
John 14:15-31 (WEB)
14:15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.25 “I have said these things to you while still living with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. 28 You heard how I told you, ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. 29 Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe. 30 I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.