Paul
N. F. (30 March 2007)
"JOHN 14:1-31"
I
am enclosing a very beautiful message of Jesus' in 14 chapter of John.
I mentioned a number of times Light Heart's wonderful web site
www.PracticeGodsPresence.com
I'll just quote a short
paragraphs from his booklet, 'Above All Else Reflections On Practicing God's
Presence.'
"In the Book of John, chapter fourteen, we find a very beautiful message.
Since Christ often mentioned all those disciples who came after, we have every
reason to believe that these words are directed at us today as well as when
Jesus spoke them to the small group gathered around Him."
JOHN 14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me.
2 There
are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them
for your coming.
3 When
everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always
be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly.
4 And
you know where I am going and how to get there."
5 "No, we don't,"
Thomas said. "We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we
know the way?"
6 Jesus told him, "I
am the Way--yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father
except by means of me.
7 If
you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now
on you know him--and have seen him!"
8 Philip said, "Sir,
show us the Father and we will be satisfied."
9 Jesus replied,
"Don't you even yet know who I am, Philip, even after all this time I
have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are
you asking to see him?
10 Don't
you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say
are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does his work
through me.
11 Just
believe it--that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or else believe
it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do.
12
"In solemn truth I tell you, anyone believing in me shall do the same
miracles I have done, and even greater ones, because I am going to be with
the Father.
13 You
can ask him for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring
praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you.
14 Yes,
ask anything, using my name, and I will do it!
15
"If you love me, obey me;
16 and
I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will
never leave you.
17 He
is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large
cannot receive him, for it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him.
But you do, for he lives with you now and some day shall be in you.
18 No,
I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm--I will come to
you.
19 In
just a little while I will be gone from the world, but I will still be present
with you. For I will live again--and you will too.
20 When
I come back to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you in
me, and I in you.
21 The
one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father
will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him."
22 Judas (not Judas
Iscariot, but his other disciple with that name) said to him, "Sir, why
are you going to reveal yourself only to us disciples and not to the world
at large?"
23 Jesus replied,
"Because I will only reveal myself to those who love me and obey me.
The Father will love them too, and we will come to them and live with them.
24 Anyone
who doesn't obey me doesn't love me. And remember, I am not making up this
answer to your question! It is the answer given by the Father who sent me.
25 "I
am telling you these things now while I am still with you.
26 But
when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me--and by the Comforter I
mean the Holy Spirit--he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything
I myself have told you.
27 "I
am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give
isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.
28
Remember what I told you--I am going away, but I will come back to you again.
If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to
the Father, who is greater than I am.
29 I
have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will
believe (in me).
30 "I
don't have much more time to talk to you, for the evil prince of this world
approaches. He has no power over me,
31 but
I will freely do what the Father requires of me so that the world will know
that I love the Father. Come, let's be going.