2/14/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In John 14:15-21 Jesus ties several concepts together. Let’s see if we can identify at least some of them. Verse 15 speaks of the importance of valuing his commands. The word used indicates guarding, valuing, or protecting. Yet, while we might expect this to be another command of Jesus, it’s a description. “You will guard my commands.” Jesus then promises that between himself and the Father there will be sent another advocate. This Jesus indicates as “the spirit of truth.” Most will take it to indicate the Holy Spirit. So God’s commands, the will of the Father, Son, and the care of the Holy Spirit are tied together. This Spirit will be right with Jesus’ people. They are prevented from being orphans. Is this because of the Holy Spirit? No, Jesus says he will be coming to the disciples. He intends to be present in them just as he is with the Father.
To sum it up, then, God’s commands are valued by the disciples. That’s their nature. And the nature of the relationship of God to those disciples is that God will be present in them. The world around them will not understand, but they will. The organic relationship between God and his people is similar to the relationship between the Godhead.
In verse 21 we see that all this comes from Jesus’ love for his people. All who are trusting him are objects of his love and grace. This is news of comfort. It is just the news we need to hear.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In John 14:15-21 Jesus ties several concepts together. Let’s see if we can identify at least some of them. Verse 15 speaks of the importance of valuing his commands. The word used indicates guarding, valuing, or protecting. Yet, while we might expect this to be another command of Jesus, it’s a description. “You will guard my commands.” Jesus then promises that between himself and the Father there will be sent another advocate. This Jesus indicates as “the spirit of truth.” Most will take it to indicate the Holy Spirit. So God’s commands, the will of the Father, Son, and the care of the Holy Spirit are tied together. This Spirit will be right with Jesus’ people. They are prevented from being orphans. Is this because of the Holy Spirit? No, Jesus says he will be coming to the disciples. He intends to be present in them just as he is with the Father.
To sum it up, then, God’s commands are valued by the disciples. That’s their nature. And the nature of the relationship of God to those disciples is that God will be present in them. The world around them will not understand, but they will. The organic relationship between God and his people is similar to the relationship between the Godhead.
In verse 21 we see that all this comes from Jesus’ love for his people. All who are trusting him are objects of his love and grace. This is news of comfort. It is just the news we need to hear.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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