In this passage, Jesus explains what His departure will mean for His disciples, emphasizing obedience and the role of the Holy Spirit.
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“Keep My Words”
John 14:15-26
- Major talking points and topics in the Christian life will be discussed today
- From a passage in which Jesus is explaining His departure and what that means to His disciples
- He begins with obedience to His word
- Mentions the role of the Holy Spirit in that obedience
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- And the teaching He will bring to our remembrance
- Jesus, and His instructions “Keep My Words”
- From John 14:15-26 today…
- Jesus begins this chapter speaking to His disciples about His Father’s house
- And the place He is preparing there for all who have faith in Him
- He makes the declaration in verse six that He is “the way, the truth, and the life”
- And says in the verse preceding our passage of the day that “If [we] shall ask any thing in [His] name [that is according to His will], [He] will do it.”
- Then we arrive at verse fifteen…
John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
- Jesus will elaborate on this particular concept later in the chapter
- It’s a simple principle, that we understand readily enough
- We know that those who love Him will want to please Him
- And that they will be obedient, not out of simple duty, but knowing rather how He has loved us first
- And how He has given Himself on our behalf and for our sins
- He then begins to clue us in on how we will know and remember His commands
- As He addresses the Holy Spirit
- The third person of the Godhead
- And the One who indwells all believers…
John 14:16
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
- More details on this relationship later as well
- The simple fact is that this “Comforter,” One of the very same kind as Jesus
- Would come to abide with those believing in Him
- And we will not be separated from Him forever
- This is a very important distinction between the disciple of Christ and the world
- As He goes on to say…
John 14:17
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
- This “Spirit of truth” will be with us, be in us
- He will be a mystery to the world
- They will not see who He is
- They will not know who He is
- But we will be very clear, because of our close relationship with Him
- And even though, at this time in history, Jesus was departing to be with His Father
- Those following Him would not be alone
- That which they looked to the Savior for, whether it be wisdom, protection, or comfort
- Or various other things would be provided – from within – by the Spirit
- As Jesus goes on…
John 14:18
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
- Jesus makes no distinction between Himself and the Holy Spirit
- Because there is no distinction in essence
- It is perfectly acceptable to say, as He says here, that Jesus dwells within us
- All that Jesus is – is all that the Spirit is for the believer
- And at this time when Jesus was departing in body, His followers needed comfort
- And they would not be left comfortless
- They would not be left alone
- Here are a few more details…
John 14:19-20
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
- While Jesus would be crucified and die for our sins in just a little while
- He would also rise again
- And His disciples, many of them, would see Him again
- But it was not simply that they would see Him resurrected
- They would continue their relationship with Him through the Spirit
- As we, who have never seen Him in body, do as well
- We, who have faith, dwell in Him
- And He in us
- Now we return to the topic on commandment-keeping…
John 14:21
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
- When Jesus says He will “manifest” Himself to us
- He is simply saying that He will be seen, He will be made known to us
- So those who have faith, as He as instructed
- Those who follow, as He has instructed
- And those who love Him
- Will know Him
- He will come into our view, He will be declared to us
- But questions remained…
John 14:22-23
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
- How would we, that believe, be different from the world?
- The God of the universe would abide in us
- This would make a radical, dramatic, world-changing difference
- For we would have a relationship with God, through His son, that was eternal
- He would never depart from us
- But would keep teaching us His words and His ways
- So that we could live like Him
- So that we could carry His message, in His way, to His world
- The world He created and loved enough to save, by His own blood
- But something else is clear…
John 14:24
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
- Those that love Him not
- Neither have faith in Him, nor a commitment to being His disciple
- Will not do His will
- They will have no ability to do it
- And will have no interest in doing it
- In fact, it is doubtful they will even know His will, for…
John 14:25-26
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
- These, who were with Jesus in body, would be reminded what He said
- We are as well, not having heard them from His mouth, but rather from His word
- And the Holy Spirit will teach them to us
- He will allow simple words on a page to be alive in us
- That will alter us in this life and for all eternity