Scripture reading – John 14; John 15
John 14 continued Christ’s conversation with His disciples, after the Passover meal was ended. Fear rose up among the disciples when they heard Jesus say, “one of you shall betray me” (13:21). Although Judas was dismissed from the table and departed, none suspected he was the traitor in their midst (13:22-30).
Fear then turned to dread, when the disciples heard Jesus say, “Whither I go, ye cannot come” (13:33). Understanding His death was imminent, the LORD urged His followers to “love one another” as He had loved them (13:34-35). Peter, ever the impetuous one, spoke up, and asked, “Lord, whither goest thou? I will lay down my life for thy sake” (13:36). Imagine the moment when Jesus questioned Peter, “Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake?”, and then declared, “The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice” (13:38).
The narrative that followed Jesus’ ominous declaration, that He was going away and Peter would betray Him, embodies some of the most beloved promises in the New Testament. John 14-17 chronicled what Christ taught His disciples as they departed the Upper Room. Having observed His last Passover, Jesus taught His followers as He led them to the entrance of the garden where He prayed (18:1).
Apart from John 3:16, the sentiments found in John 14:1-6 convey some of the most beloved and comforting promises in the Gospels. While John 3:16 encourages the hearts of sinners with the promise of God’s love and eternal life through Christ, John 14 comforts the saints with the promise of an eternal place Christ has gone before and prepared for His children (14:2). What a wonderful truth we have, when we read, “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” (14:6)
Jesus Christ and God, the Father are One (14:8-12)
Philip, one of the disciples, intreated Jesus saying, “Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us [i.e., we will be satisfied]” (14:8). Christ answered Philip’s request with a loving rebuke, and asked, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?” (14:9) Jesus then declared, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (14:9). What an amazing revelation! Affirming He was incarnate God, Jesus said, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake” (14:11). In other words, hear my words, and see my works [miracles], and believe! (14:12)
Closing thoughts (14:16-31)
So much more could be written, but I will conclude today’s devotional with two great spiritual truths. The first truth is the revelation of the person and work of the Holy Spirit (known as the doctrine of pneumatology). Christ promised His disciples, when He was gone out of the world, He would send“another Comforter,” the “Spirit of truth” (14:16-17). Who is this Comforter? He “is the Holy Ghost” whom Christ promised would not only be a Comforter, but also a Counselor [i.e., Teacher]. We read, “He [the Holy Ghost]shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (14:26).
Notice also a simple, but profound truth: Love = Obedience. (14:15, 23, 31). Let’s be honest; the love of the 21stcentury is shallow, self-serving, and typically driven by emotions and physical passions. When people say, “I love you,” they are not saying, “I love you enough to sacrifice my all for you.” Yet, that is the Scriptural definition of the highest form of love. Biblical love is not self-serving, it is self-sacrificing (10:15, 17; 15:13; 1 John 3:16).
Jesus challenged His disciples, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (14:15). Someone might profess with their lips a love of God; however, the test is not what they say, but whether or not they obey, and keep the LORD’s commandments. Jesus expressed the same truth in John 14:23-24 where we read, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” (14:23-24)
A son or daughter cannot pretend to love his or her parents, if they do not obey them. The same is true for God. If you love the LORD, you will keep His commandments.
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Copyright © 2022 – Travis D. Smith
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