The Disciple’s Question
March 19, 2020
Commentary
Jesus spoke these things while He was with the disciples, but His time with them was running out. The Holy Spirit would soon come to teach and to remind them of everything Jesus had taught them (vv. 25-26). This Helper is defined by holiness and truth (v. 17). Jesus was the Father’s representative on earth. In the same way, the Spirit would be Jesus’ representative. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is that of enlightening the revealed truth to believers. When we go to God’s Word, the Bible, in reliance on the Spirit of God, our Helper will help us to glean truth from what we read and apply that truth to our lives.
The world bases its peace on resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. People in the world walk by sight and depend on the externals, but Christians need to walk by faith and depend on the internals. In this hour of sorrow for the disciples, Christ promised a unique kind of peace that is different than the world’s peace (v.27). His peace would calm troubled and fearful hearts. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble while Christians enjoy peace despite trials because of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus assures them that they would see Him again (v. 28). Christ foretold these events knowing that the faith of the disciples would be increased when they came to pass (vv. 29-30). “Arise, let us go hence” (v. 31). The hour for which Jesus came had arrived. Jesus had been with His disciples in the Upper Room. He is now preparing to go to the Garden of Gethsemane, and He will soon go to the cross.
Application
Has my love for God and obedience to Him changed in the past six months? What promise from this passage means the most to me? Why?
John 14:25– 31 (NET)
25 “I have spoken these things while staying with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.
27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up, let us go from here.