John 14:23-29 (NRSV)
Read John 14:23-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Verse 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
Verse 25"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. Verse 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Verse 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Verse 28You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. Verse 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Devotion
This passage brings to mind an obscure ’80s pop music lyric: “You made me promises, promises/You knew you'd never keep/Promises, promises/Why do I believe?” This song summarizes a basic human experience related to promises: promises are made, promises are broken. Friendships are betrayed, marital vows are disavowed and even small, day-to-day commitments are left undone. Maybe that’s why human beings have such a hard time trusting in God’s promises.
In John 14, Jesus speaks words of promise to the disciples. Jesus promised the Spirit to his disciples, and later breathed the Holy Spirit on them (20:22). Jesus was true to his promises then and still remains true to his promises: the promise that through baptism you are God’s child, the promise that you are forgiven and the promise that in Jesus Christ you have life.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for keeping your promises to me. Help me to trust those promises. Amen.