JOHN 14:25-31 YOU ARE NOT LEFT ON YOUR OWN

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘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, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

The grace of God is absolutely amazing! Although he honors our free will and requires our obedience-expressed loved in order for us to be in relationship with him, he does not play a game of hide-and-seek with us. As if the creation itself were not enough of a revelation, God has given us the record of his activity in the world, the witness of the prophets and patriarchs, the Scriptures and the incarnation of the eternal Son. But even more, he provides us with a Counselor. It is as if this life were an open book exam in which the teacher sits next to us turning to the correct pages and pointing out the correct answers for us. In such a circumstance, who would be afraid of failing the test?

We have been given the correct model to follow in Jesus Christ. He has demonstrated what perfect obedience-expressed love for God looks like. But like the Disciples, our sin-darkened minds cannot grasp the full understanding of all Jesus said and taught. For many of us, we get glimpses of Jesus up ahead or at least evidence that he went this way, but we are too far behind him to be absolutely sure at every turn in life. There is a fear that we might be diverted along the way. Being fully human and yet fully divine, Jesus knows our weakness and fear. So by grace he has given us a Guide, the Holy Spirit who connects us to the KPS (Kingdom Positioning System) that assures us that we can arrive at our destination, no matter the distractions and the obstacles.

The answers may be given to us and the way provided, but it is still up to our free will to write the answers down and to turn where we are told to turn. Basically it is a matter of faith. Do we love and trust God enough to obey his direction or are we guided by our rebellion, like the “prince of this world”?

Deliver me, O Lord from my rebellious and arrogant desire to have my own way. May the Holy Spirit constantly remind me of the teaching of Jesus and his revelation of the Truth. Give me the ears to hear and the heart to obey the guidance of the Spirit, especially when I am told to “go back and turn right.” Grow my obedience-expressed love so that my fear will disappear. Amen.