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Day 34 - The Promise

Today's reading is from John 14: 15 - 31 & 15: 26 -27

On the last earth night Jesus spent with his disciples, he shared from his heart. Chapter 13, he washes feet and tells them the greatest thing they can do to show who they were as disciples was to love one another. Chapter 14 he tells them that they shouldn't worry, because he was going to prepare a place for them, and that he and the Father know what is happening.

Now here, in the rest of chapter 14, and the end of 15, he tells us that we will not be left alone - literally, left as orphans - but that the promised Holy Spirit, the Comforter, will come to be with them, even after he goes. Who is this comforter?

He is the Spirit of Truth: John 14:16-17 (NIV)
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

God puts a premium on truth telling, because the enemy is a liar, a deceiver, one who does not tell the truth. God tells truth because in truth there is freedom.

He is the one who makes Christ real to us: John 14:23 (NIV)
23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Our obedience to Christ is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit...prompting, encouraging, even rebuking and exhorting us when we go astray.

He is the one who continues to remind us, teach us the ways of God.
John 14:26 (NIV)
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 everything I have said to you.

He is the one who gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life: John 14:27 (NLT)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

I love the way this chapter ends. Jesus is focused on doing the Father's will, and he knows what is about to happen. He does not shrink back from the assault of the enemy. The words speak volumes:
John 14:28-31 (NLT)
28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.
29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me,
31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

Peace,

If you're reading along in the-bible-through-the-year today's reading is in 1 Kings 18,19,20

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