Month: April 2025

John 14:15-31

There are 4 themes we could look at in this passage.

1. The advocate (paraclete), comforter , counsellor, encourager is coming. We will not be left alone like orphans, he will be living with and in us, and he will lead believers into all truth. He is another advocate like Jesus. John is the only gospel writer to use this word to describe the Holy Spirit. We do not have to become super disciples to receive the Spirit, simply come into a relationship with Jesus through faith.

2. Jesus resurrection will bring life and proof of who Jesus is to all who believe.

3. Living in an ongoing, loving relationship with the Father and the Son depends on obedience to his commands. Although it involves a heart response, we can’t say ‘we love Jesus’ and then not live life as he asks us to. This is not just about sentimentality.

4. Jesus gives us peace of heart and mind; a peace that goes beyond what the world can give Psalm 37: 7-9.

Whilst Jesus’ death might suggest the devil has won his battle and overthrown him, Jesus is clear that his enemy has no power. Jesus, the sinless son of God, is voluntarily giving up his life in order to take it up again.

Here we see the Godhead at work together to ensure that we have all we need to be disciples, and we are never abandoned, no matter how we might feel.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

John 14:1-14

In spite of three years of following Jesus, listening to his teaching and witnessing the miracles the disciples are still confused about what is going on, and the relationship that exists between Jesus and the Father. Maybe it’s because life has just suddenly taken a very dramatic turn with all this talk of Jesus leaving and their not being able to go with him.

V1 Jesus addresses it head on with his encouragement to trust him and the Father. A verse that we can all take hold of in difficult times. It seems hardly surprising they are confused, Jesus is talking both physically of his departure and yet also spiritually about the way to him. You can feel Thomas’ is frustration. The way is Jesus himself, and through him we come to the Father. The relationship between the Father and the Spirit is still not clear to them, as evidenced by Philip’s question. To see Jesus and to hear him is to see and hear the Father. Knowing this is hard, Jesus says ‘well if that’s too hard at least believe because of the works’. There is no such thing as a stupid question (so they say), if we don’t know or understand what God is doing, we can ask and know that he will be willing to answer us.

Then we have this extraordinary promise that those who believe can do the same if not greater works in Jesus’ name. This is because he is going and when he goes the Spirit will come. Jesus going; his death, resurrection and ascension will prepare an eternal place in God’s presence for all believers (v 2-3) and, as we will read tomorrow, usher in the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

John 13:21-38

Jesus is not indifferent to the betrayal that is about to happen, it troubles him as it would anyone in that situation. (The  disciple who asks Jesus who the betrayer is was most likely John, the gospel writer, v 23, 21:20-24)

It seems likely that only those sat near him heard Jesus’ answer, and it appears strange that they don’t intervene. Maybe, because Jesus didn’t act to stop it, neither did they. So, Satan entered Judas and now he moves to carry out the devilish plan which will of course backfire on him and the devil.

Jesus knows that everything that is about to happen to him will bring glory to God and to himself. They are as one in their actions to save the world, as John described in ch. 3 v 16. He wants his disciples to be as one in their love for him and one another. Whilst the Old Testament taught them to love their neighbour as themselves, Jesus now raises the bar. They are to love each other as Jesus has loved them. This type of love will show the world they are his disciples.

Peter, in his enthusiasm to be a true follower of Jesus, seems to take the information that he can’t follow Jesus yet as a slight, and declares his willingness to die. It’s hard to imagine how he must have felt when Jesus warned him of his coming denial. Perhaps he didn’t believe it was possible or didn’t really know himself that well. It certainly didn’t stop him later on (ch 18).

Lord, help us to love as you have called us to love and be our true selves before you.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.