In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 14:23-31[HCSB])

23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me.

25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit the Father will send Him in My name will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 On the contrary, I am going away so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do.

How the world will know: Peace

How will the world not know? That is what Judas (not Iscariot) was driving at in lesson #67. How, Jesus, will you not tell the whole world? The Disciple surmised that Jesus would only tell His closest friends; and he secretly wondered how anyone could keep that to himself. We know that Judas misunderstood what Jesus said. It is not possible to keep the Messiah to oneself if one is truly a “Christ-follower.” The Holy Spirit will help each believer in getting the Word out.

Jesus goes on to explain that the Word is no one individual’s property or exclusive domain: it is God’s, and that He was leaving His own Holy Spirit behind to council and to guide. They were not to be afraid. In this particular passage Jesus continues to detail the concept of the Holy Spirit, though I doubt any of His followers truly understood what He meant until the day of Pentecost in that secluded upper room.

The Holy Ghost will:

 Come to us as Jesus “goes away” (ascends) to be with the Father;

 Remain until Jesus returns to reclaim His church (His bride at the rapture);

 Teach all things and remind us of everything He taught (think conscience);

 Give us peace in ways that the world cannot (wellbeing, not easy street) .

Jesus reassures us:

 Not to be fearful or troubled;

 He is not really leaving us;

 That we should rejoice, not mourn;

 The “ruler of the world” is coming, but he has no power over Jesus;

 That He is doing what the Father (God) has commanded Him to do.

This is the gospel, the good news. Yet, so many are troubled. Why?