Tuesday 17 May 2022

May 17: John 14:27-31

Key Verse: John 14:28
‘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.

Devotion:
Jesus did not explain every step of what was about to happen to the disciples, He simply told them He was going back to Heaven but would return… They had to have faith their Christ would come back to them, and that faith was going to be tested to the ultimate over the next while!

How many times have you said goodbye to a friend or family when they go off to either live somewhere else, or go on a long break? If it was family and they were moving around the world, you may well be upset you will not see them for a while, but you still believe you will see them at some stage again. I have seen my brother go to live and work in various parts of the world, but each time I still knew I was going to see them again – even if it took several years!

Jesus wanted the disciples, and us, to have faith in His return, and after that, to have faith in Him being there for us no matter what – even if He is in Heaven and we are on earth. We still have Him watching over us and being with us in Spirit instead of in body. The Holy Spirit is always with us and always guides us the best way forward. If we listen and obey, we head toward the best solution… if we don’t listen and try to fix things ourselves, we tend to mess us more often than not!

Jesus started these words out with some direct encouragement – to not be afraid or troubled, because He was telling the truth and He knew this is what Father God wanted. When we stick to God’s ways, we will see why He wants us to do what He is asking… we may get worried as we don’t understand, but He has told us it will be OK and wants us to trust and believe. Don’t get trapped by worldly limits and science because God is not bound by either of those!

Points to Ponder:
Do you know Christ will return?

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit?