Jesus was preparing the disciples for His impending death and upcoming return to Heaven. He told them they wouldn’t be left alone. Not only would He and the Father always be with them, but there was more good news. Verses 25-26 read,
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Believer, the Father gave you the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Up to that point the Holy Spirit had been given for different reasons. He had a part in the Creation. He contended with men while they sinned and ignored Him before the flood. He enabled men to design and build the Temple. He empowered David to praise God and write psalms. He breathed the scriptures and allowed men to write them down. And He made it possible for people to prophesy, judge, and rule. But now the Father was sending Him with a new purpose. He sends the Spirit in Jesus’ name. And everything He does in us is toward the purposes of Jesus which, as Jesus said is to fulfill the will of the Father.
Jesus taught some groundbreaking things. He taught and did a great deal. The Spirit comes into us and reminds us of His teachings, helps us to understand the Bible, and teaches us more. For the disciples, He brought to mind everything Jesus had taught and allowed them to record it accurately and teach it as they spread Jesus name throughout the earth. He does the same for us.
I spend time with the Lord regularly, I read the Bible, pray and meditate on His teachings. When I have a conversation with someone, the Spirit will bring to mind a Bible verse to give them, wisdom I received from the discipline I went through, or a word of prophecy for them. He teaches me and He brings that teaching to mind in order to glorify Jesus’ name and bring people to a relationship with the Father. As I go through my day, He is with me guiding my steps and leading the way. I can follow Him or I can stifle Him and go my own way.
Jesus continued. Verse 27 reads,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Jesus also gives peace, His peace. His peace is not the peace of the world. It is not hippy peace. It is not false peace that comes from apathy. It is not like any peace the world has to offer. It is true and deep. It comes from no longer being in conflict with God. It comes from being righteous by Jesus’ blood. It comes from trusting God completely. We do not have to be anxious for anything. God is with is. We know God. He is Healer, Provider, Creator, Almighty, Friend, Father, Comforter, and LORD. He is I Am, so we do not have to be afraid. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Jesus was getting ready to return to the Father. And although the death He chose to die for us would be hard and watching His friends fall away would be difficult He saw the results and chose to rejoice over His death even through the pain. He saw that the Spirit would be with us, that we would continue to do His work, and that we would have a way to Salvation. But the disciples couldn’t yet see the marvelous consequences and they weren’t too thrilled over the idea of Jesus leaving them. Verses 28-29 read,
“You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.”
He knew they didn’t understand yet, but they would and then they would believe, understand, and be able to rejoice with Him. He wrapped up the Seder by telling them that He wouldn’t be able to talk to them much after this night. Verses 30-31 read,
“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”
Satan thought he was about to have a victory. It looked like that to the world. It looked like that to most of the disciples. Jesus was going to be arrested and crucified. But it was not Satan’s doing, even though God used him to get the job done. It was the Father’s will and Jesus choice. Jesus did it and rather than destroy God’s purpose as Satan hoped, Jesus’ sacrifice glorified God and made it possible for the world to know God and His love because Jesus’ love which was manifested through His obedience.
Believer, you have the Spirit of God with you and within you. He has gifted you, sanctioned and empowered you to do the work of Jesus on this earth. Manifest your love for God by obeying Him and making His love known to everyone.
If you are not a believer, then consider what Jesus did for you. Imagine the genuine peace Jesus offers to you and accept that gift now. All you have to do is accept it. Tell Him you need Him. Tell Him you know there is no way for you to befriend the Father without Him. You have sinned. Everyone has. But Jesus paid the price you could never pay and made the way for you. Just tell Jesus now that you believe Him and believe in Him. Make Him your Lord and He will be your friend. Ask God to be your King and He will be your Father. Ask God to be your God and He will be your Comforter.