The Gospel of John: John 14.15-31

Read and meditate on John 14.15-18.
Jesus laid some pretty heavy expectations on His disciples, but He would not leave them to their own strength to fulfill what He commanded. He will ask the Father, Who will send the Holy Spirit, so that the disciples of Jesus can fulfill His mission for them.

                     ¹⁵If you love Me, then keep My
commandments. ¹⁶I will pray the Father, and
He will give you another Helper, and
He will abide with you forever.  ¹⁷Though
the world cannot receive Him, since it knows
Him not, nor sees Him – the Spirit of truth – but you
know Him, for He dwells in you, and in you
abides. ¹⁸I will not leave you orphans, friends;
I will come to you.”

- John 14.15-18

Reflect
1.  How can we know if we love Jesus? Meditate on Matthew 22.34-40, Matthew 5.17-19, and John 13.34, 35. Which commandments? Complete this prayer: Lord Jesus, Your commandments are clear. Help me to learn and love them, so that…

2.  Jesus said that the Spirit would be His disciples’ Helper. Meditate on Ezekiel 36.26, 27, Acts 1.8, and Ephesians 2.19-22. Helping us to do what? I need the help of Your Spirit every day, Lord, as I…

3.  Jesus claimed that He is the truth, and He said the Spirit is the Spirit of truth (v. 17). Meditate on 2 Corinthians 3.12-18. Why has the Spirit been given to believers? What does He do in us? How can we know when the Spirit of truth is bringing truth to light in us? Shape me in the truth, Lord Jesus, and let me…

4.  Why can’t the world know the Spirit of truth? In what sense do we as believers know and see Him? In what sense does the Spirit “dwell” in us? How can we know that we know the Spirit? Lord, I know Your Spirit is in me and at work in me as…

5.  Jesus comes to us in the Person of the Holy Spirit (v. 18). When the Spirit is dwelling in us, abiding in us, and helping us as Jesus intends, what should we expect to see happening in us? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Keeping the divine commandments is the best way to give living expression to our love toward God. It presents the picture of a life lived in all its fullness and truth. It is not a life sketched out in mere sounds that flow from the tongue. It gleams instead with the altogether radiant and brilliant colors that paint a portrait of good works.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

We can do nothing to fulfill the Lord’s expectations apart from the presence and help of His indwelling Spirit. How can we make the most of His help at all times?

Closing Prayer
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40.1-8

Psalm 40.1-8 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
Lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.

Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, Lord, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
Lord, Your worth who can declare?  None with You can e’er compare.

Off’rings You do not require – open now my ears, O Lord –
What from me do You desire?  Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.