John 14:8-17 [25-27] (NRSV)
Read John 14:8-17 [25-27] on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Verse 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Verse 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Verse 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
Verse 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Verse 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Verse 15"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Verse 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. Verse 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.[
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.]
Devotion
When the wounded and resurrected Christ comes among the disciples locked away in fear, confusion, grief, and doubts, he meets them as they are, reaches out, and brings a word of peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." It is hard to live in this world without hearts that are troubled or afraid, when even places of worship become targets of anger and violence.
Our text today both foreshadows and echoes Jesus’ post-resurrection gift of peace. Jesus promises new life and peace through the Spirit. God repeatedly reaches out to us with a word of love, a breath of peace, that touches our places of grief, pain, and unrest. We are sent to reach out in turn to others with God's peace that surpasses understanding. It is a deep peace even in times of unrest and sorrow. It is a peace that comes from knowing and trusting God. Jesus triumphed over sin and death; God will have the final word.
Prayer
God of peace, be at work through all of your children to breathe peace into troubled hearts and places so that all may know your peace, the peace that surpasses understanding. Amen.