By: The Very Rev. Robert S. Munday
The whole theme of John 14 is Jesus’ telling the disciples what was going to happen in the future in order that they might be prepared and comforted: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). His death, resurrection, and ascension—leaving them and going to heaven—was for them! And the lesson is for us as well, who live as Christians in light of the resurrection, seeking to know all that it means for us. The first thing we see is that the resurrection is a message of hope. There are several reasons why the resurrection is a message of hope, summarized in five promises from John, chapter 14:
The promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 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” (John 14:15-17).
His promise that He would not leave them (or us) as orphans: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). The promise that Jesus will disclose Himself to those who obey Him: “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” (John 14:21).
The promise of the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and guide: “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” (John 14:26).
The promise that we will have peace: “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” (John 14:27). In coming to us He desires that we might have life and have it abundantly. In going to Heaven He desires that we not be left alone but that we would have the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Counselor, Teacher, and Guide. And in sending the Holy Spirit, He desires us to bear the fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). And the key is that we begin by receiving His promise and loving Him as we trust and obey.