I truly had the most wonderful parents when it came to loving me and wanting the best for me. I realize this is not always the case for others and it saddens me when parents miss the opportunity to express God’s tender love for their children. My dad certainly had a tender heart, but he was strict when it came to discipline; he carried high expectations for us. Although he rarely said it, some times when I would ask why I couldn’t do something, he would answer, “Because I said so!” End of discussion.
In our passage today, John wants us to understand the power of obeying the words of Christ, because he is the One who opens the door and pulls back the veil to connect us to the Father who is omnipresent (present everywhere), and omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (all-powerful). What a wonderful and powerful relational CONNECTION! Our heavenly Father, as loving and merciful as he is, says what he means and means what he says. When we honor God’s commands, we are demonstrating our love, respect, and trust in him. God is not double-minded like human beings. We know Christ, as our example, understood the powerful authority behind the words of our heavenly Father which could be translated, “Because I said so!”
I am praying for our hearts—the core of our beings—to be filled with God’s loving presence today, because when we are full we desire to remain in Christ and crave the peace he alone gives our lives. We can trust our Father, his Word, and our Helper.
John 14:18-31 NLT Jesus told his disciples, 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
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. 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.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise to make your home in our hearts as we do what you say. And, thank you for the peace you give, because we need it more every day as we live in this fallen world. Holy Spirit, please continue to remind us of your word, and bring us the power we need so we can obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.