Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=John+014
John 14 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
REFLECTION
- Read over this passage a few times slowly. If time allows, read the whole chapter.
- Ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance for today’s devotion. Make the reading a prayer in itself.
- The Holy Spirit is the most neglected personhood of God. Yet Jesus promises to leave His disciples (and us as His followers) with this important Friend. What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in vv16-17, and 25-27?
- What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit in you and to guide you throughout your day, as this passage says: “But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you”? Is it comforting? Discomforting? Frustrating? Hard to understand? Awesome? How can you grow today in the awareness that the Friend lives in you?
- As you drive, walk, work, study, and interact with others today, call on your Friend for His guidance with your thoughts, your words, and the decisions you make.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, guide me in all things! When I am far away from God, I ask You to work, to pull my mind back to the paradise of heaven, and not to be attracted by the prosperity of the world; when my heart is hard, proud and rebellious, I ask You to make me soft and humble , willing to imitate the spirit of sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, take up my cross and follow Him; when I encounter setbacks and discouragement, please give me courage and confidence, and rekindle the fire of love in my spirit; When I am lonely and sad and under heavy pressure, please give me peace and joy, and make my burden light; when my life is dry and it is difficult to open my mouth to pray, please pray for me with unspeakable sighs. Dear Holy Spirit, You are the comforter sent by Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. You are my reliance and the strength in my heart. Please continue to guide me and bring my life to a new level. Amen!
HYMN
Holy Spirit Living Breath of God – youtu.be/kDYjn-YdnD4
