Jesus: "I AM the
Way, the Truth and the Life."
Intro: The theme of this week's readings is the 'vital union' and total
harmony between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In chapter 14 Jesus mentions
"Father" 23 times in 31 verses. He models His Father in everything. Jesus
IS the way – as we love, trust and obey Him, we will discover the Father and
experience His presence with us! Also Jesus begins His teaching about our
Helper, the Holy Spirit. The readings are short as there is so much to take in
and absorb. Over the next couple of weeks, you could make different lists as
you read – 1) the promises Jesus makes to us as we believe and obey Him, 2) all
the different ways the Holy Spirit helps us, 3) how many times Jesus talks
about Him and the Father abiding, dwelling, living in and with us.
Day 1: John 13:31-35
Jesus must be full of emotion as Judas goes off into the
night. He realises that NOW is the time for Him to be glorified, and He knows
that means His death. He speaks lovingly to his other 11 disciples, calling
them "little children". He knows His time with them on earth is
almost finished, and so tells them ONE important "new" command – that
they should love one another. With what
sort of love? The sort that He has for us – sacrificial 'laying down of self'
love! No less! The world will know that we are Jesus' followers, when we
practice His faithful, unchanging, forgiving, blessing, healing type of
love. As we read on, we will find out
how we can do this – NOT on our own! Let Jesus speak to you right now, calling
you, "My little child ….!"
Day 2: John 13:36 - 14:6
Peter has vowed his loyalty to Jesus, but Jesus, knowing his
human weakness, tells Peter he will deny him. (We will see more about this in
days to come). Jesus follows this by speaking peace to Peter and the other
disciples: "Let not your heart be troubled …" He knows
that we will fail Him, so here He brings that amazing wonderful assurance that
He is going to prepare a place for us in His Father's house. AND He is coming
back to take us there one day! Thomas, the doubtful one, (don't the disciples
show us our own characteristics!), asks Jesus how they will ever find the way
if Jesus is leaving them. "I AM the WAY," says Jesus.
And He is the Truth and the Life. Jesus says that believing in Him is the one and only way to
come to the Father, and to know freedom and life.
Day 3: John 14:7-11
"Lord, show us the Father!" In His reply to Philip,
Jesus states that He looks like His Father, He speaks like His Father and He
acts like His Father! As we spend time getting to know Jesus, we will be
discovering our Father's love and kindness – and His thoughts towards us. Jesus
and the Father are ONE, and they love us as ONE. Jesus tells His disciples again, that if they
find it hard to believe in Him, then look at the miracles His Father does
through Him. Often it is testimony of God's healing or salvation or answered
prayer that strengthens and deepens our trust and believing, and helps to
convince others of Who Jesus is. Let's
be ready to share the great things He does for us with one another, to
encourage and affirm joyful trust in Jesus and our loving heavenly Father!
Day 4: John 14:12-14
What
amazing verses! Re-read and ponder what Jesus is promising. Speak these verses
out loud, putting in your own name. Look at the "whatevers" and
"anythings"! Believe and ask – that is all that is
required of us. The secret of our doing greater works than Jesus is in the
teaching He gives later about the Holy Spirit. Can you step out and believe God
for ANYTHING you ask! There is a big key here – the words "in MY
name". This means within the whole character and personality of God Himself.
Jesus shows us the Father, and we can ask anything within His righteous character
of love and healing and provision and joy-giving! You can also use the "I
AM" names Jesus gives Himself. Ask
Him something very specific today, write it in your notebook, and then wait and
see His answer and breakthrough for you! It will bring honour and glory to
Jesus and the Father.
Day 5: John 14:15-18
“If you love Me…” It is LOVE for Jesus that produces a life in tune
with His word. Obedience to God’s word is not about following a set of rules
and laws – it is about a heart so full of love and thanks for Who Jesus is to
us, that our whole desire is to please HIM! And it is possible because "I
will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." Jesus promises
His disciples will never be alone. The Father will send the Holy Spirit to live
in them constantly and forever! The Amplified Bible translates “another Helper”
as "Comforter, Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and
Standby". Because the Holy Spirit is in us, we can love others like Jesus
does, and do the things He asks us to! Think of a situation in your own life or
someone you care about, and ask the Holy Spirit to come alongside and help,
counsel, comfort, strengthen and stand close.
Day 6: John 14:19-24
Again Jesus says that if we LOVE Him, we will keep His Word.
It is all about intimacy and relationship. Because of the Holy Spirit, God the Father and
Jesus the Son will make their home in our lives as we love and obey HIM! Think
about that – your heart the home of the Lord – open up every room to Him today.
See Revelation 3:20.
Day 7: John 14:25-31
What does verse 26 tell us about the Holy Spirit? What
confidence we can have as we seek to understand God’s word, and as we learn
more of God’s truth, that we can call on the Spirit to help us. This chapter
began with Jesus assuring us we need not be afraid or troubled, and here it is
again. The world is full of fear, panic, distress, confusion and war. Jesus
says. “MY peace I give to you!” Read Isaiah 26:3, and quietly receive the peace
that the world cannot give. In the midst of any struggles or opposing forces,
Jesus is here. He says, “Peace I leave with you.”
Summary:
Untroubled hearts …… peace ……. A
Lord close to us all the time because He lives in us …… a Father who wants
communion and relationship with each one of us … so that we can pray His word
and in His Name, asking ANYTHING and watching God answer … doing the same
things Jesus did …this is all attainable with the Holy Spirit living in us,
through our
Lord Jesus Christ,
the WAY, the
TRUTH and the LIFE!
No comments:
Post a Comment