You Also Will Live

Scripture: John 14:15-21 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:18-21 NLT)

The stuff Jesus was saying was so difficult for his disciples! They were on an emotional roller-coaster as he alternately talked to them about his impending death (which shattered their world; their hopes and dreams and everything), and his resurrection (which might make some sense because they had seen him resurrect his friend Lazarus who had been in the grave four days!) He would die, then in some miraculous, inexplicable way, he would be alive again! That’s a lot to process!

They had recently been part of the crowd who hailed Jesus as the Messiah, coming to make everything right as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (think: King of Israel and army and revolution and kicking Rome out of Palestine and weeding out the corrupt politicians and religionists). Then, after a week in and around Jerusalem, Jesus sat them down and washed their feet (think: very un-kingly and servant-like and not very powerful in a military, Rome-defeating sort of way) and began talking seriously to them about his crucifixion. He told them plainly he was about to die!

They were upset, and afraid, and didn’t get it, and I don’t blame them!

• He was about to leave them! Life as they had known it for three-plus years was ending. What would happen? What would they do? But he wasn’t leaving them as orphans. He would come to them in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• He was about to die! If he died, they could very likely be dead soon as well! But he promised them he would come back to life, come back to them, and they would live in Holy Spirit resurrection power just as he did.
• All they could do is take him at his word, not really even understanding (yet) what he was talking about!
• My point is this: When people are going through transition and uncertainty, and are afraid and feeling like orphans, we should cut them some slack! Be compassionate and kind, the way we would want to be treated!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you that we’re not alone, and that Jesus has come to us as he promised. Help us to embrace others who are alone and afraid. Just as you’ve done for us. Amen!