NEVER ALONE
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son, for in him is everything I need for today, tomorrow, and for eternity. Help me to live a life overflowing with gratitude and praise.
Read JOHN 14:15–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Reflect
Imagine, or think of, a time when you have felt lonely. Sense Jesus drawing alongside you and holding you. Dwell in his comforting presence.
A few years ago, a famous fast-food outlet released an advertisement in which a boy whose father had recently died cheered up at the sight of a particular fish product. The ad was rightly removed for trivializing and exploiting bereavement. To lose a parent is devastating.
Jesus’ relationship with his disciples has been like that of a parent. He has been their constant teacher, guide, and wise friend. They have put all their hope in him. So when Jesus refers to them as ‘orphans’ (v. 18), he is reflecting the deep grief they will feel when he dies. Yet this is not only his farewell speech but also his comeback announcement. Jesus also promises that he will return to them: ‘I will not leave you as orphans’ (v. 18). He will rise to life and bring life to them (vv. 18, 19). There are echoes here of Moses’ farewell speech, as the Israelites are about to cross into the Promised Land: ‘the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’1 Yet, where Moses is promising that the Lord will never leave the people after Moses dies, here Jesus is promising that he will not leave them after he dies—implying, extraordinarily, that Jesus himself is identifying with the Lord and that death is no bar to his continued presence. Jesus promises that he and his Father will come and ‘make our home’ with those who love him (v. 23).
This passage also introduces us to another family member, the ‘Spirit of truth’ (v. 17). He will live with and in the disciples and never leave them (vv. 16, 17). The eternal presence of the triune God is of far greater comfort than a piece of fish.
Apply
‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.’2
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are not only always with me, you provide for me with immeasurable power and unfailing love.
1 Deut 31:6. 2 Eph 3:16, 17.
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