John 14:25-27

Jesus has taught His disciples while He has been with them. What has He taught them? He has taught them to love Him by obeying His teachings. He has taught them that His words are the Father’s words, and that those who obey His words have peace with the Father, who loves them.

 

But Jesus has also been saying that He is going away. What will they have left? The Holy Spirit. The Counselor sent from the Father in Jesus’ name. What will He do? The Holy Spirit will do exactly what Jesus has done – He will teach the disciples all things and remind them of Jesus’ teachings.

 

What does that mean for the disciples? Peace with Jesus. Jesus is leaving His words with them, because Jesus is leaving another teacher with them – the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus is gone, the disciples can know that Jesus and the Father still love them. Jesus has made sure that there is a way for the personal relationship to continue! So even though He is about to leave, Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.”

 

Ever since Pentecost, Jesus has sent His Holy Spirit to be with His followers, to teach them His words so that they may have a relationship with Him and with the Father. What a great comfort to know that even though we do not see Jesus, He has given us peace with Him!

 

Father, thank You for this offer of peace You have extended through Jesus to us. Thank You for continuing to offer us a personal relationship with You through Your word and by giving us the Holy Spirit to teach us. You are so good to us! May our hearts be comforted as we realize how much You have done to take care of us, to make sure that Your love for us is clear.