34: The New way of discipleship through the Holy Spirit (John 14:15 – 31)

Jesus said, “I am the way.” Then, how could they keep walking in the Way if Jesus returns to the Father? Here, Jesus introduces a new stage of discipleship after His departure, which is through the Holy Spirit. 

πŸ‘‰ Read John 14:15 - 31


Q1. The 'another Advocate' refers to the Holy Spirit. How can we know Him though the world could not understand Him? 

Because the Holy Spirit resides in us.

The human mind cannot understand nor recognize the Spirit. Only when the Spirit enters our hearts, do we realize His presence. He is supernatural.

“If you love me, …” The Spirit of God cannot reside in those who don’t love God.


Q2. “The person who has my commandments and (         ) them is the one who (       ) me. The one who loves me will be loved by (          ), and I will love him and will (        ) myself to him.”

“The person who has my commandments and ( obeys ) them is the one who ( loves ) me. The one who loves me will be loved by ( my Father  ), and I will love him and will ( reveal ) myself to him.”

Note that unless Jesus reveals to us, we have no way to know Him.

At the same time, this is a sure promise of how to encounter Jesus. Love and obey. Isn't it easy? 

“I will come to you.” Jesus equated another Advocate with Himself. 


Q3. “If anyone (       ) me, he will (       ) my word, and my (        ) will love him, and (     ) will come to Him and take up (          ) with Him.”  

“If anyone ( loves ) me, he will ( obey ) my word, and my ( Father ) will love him, and ( we ) will come to Him and take up ( residence ) with Him.”

Three paragraphs (15-17, 18-21, 22-24) speak the same. ‘If you love me, you will obey me. And I will reside in you and we in the Father.’ Love for Jesus will lead us to the divine fellowship and union with the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

"We will come to Him." The believers and Jesus together come to the Father. 

In his gospel, John describes salvation as the co-residency with the Triune God.


Q4. What is the task of the Holy Spirit? (26)

He teaches us everything and helps us remember Jesus’ words.

It is the Holy Spirit who binds us and Christ together. He convinces us that the cross was for us so that everything Jesus has done could be applied to us.


Q5. “(      ) peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the (        ) does.” Jesus’ peace has come from belonging to the (          ) who is greater than him. And such belonging is confirmed as Jesus (       ) Him and obeys His commands. Jesus’ crucifixion is not submitting to the (         ) of this world but to the Father’s (        ). 

“( My ) peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the ( world ) does.” Jesus’ peace has come from belonging to the ( Father ) who is greater than him. And such belonging is confirmed as Jesus ( loves ) Him and obeys His commands. Jesus’ crucifixion is not submitting to the ( ruler ) of this world but to the Father’s ( command ).

At the moment of His impending departure, Jesus encouraged His disciples to join His peace, rather than being discouraged. The peace in this world comes from possessing a thing or achieving own desires. But the peace of Jesus has originated in the relationship with the Father. We will enjoy Jesus’ peace when we reside in Jesus, for we belong to the Father through Jesus Christ. When we belong to the Father who is greater than anyone or any threat, we can have peace no matter what. And the relationship is confirmed through our love and obedience.

The cross is the epitome of the mutual inclusion of the Son and the Father. Thus, the centurion said, ‘This was the Son of God.’



Upon the impending departure of Jesus, they were discouraged. However, Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit who will strengthen their bonding with Jesus in a new and better way. Their relationship will advance: from physical to spiritual, from visible to invisible, from earthly realm to heavenly realm, and from Jesus to the Father.

Jesus also speaks today. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Do not seek peace as the worldly people seek. Seek to belong to Jesus, then you will join His peace. 

He suffered to become ‘our peace.’


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

15: They repented for the first time, But... (Judges 10:1 – 18)

They repented before the Lord, but He was not willing to deliver them because He knew their irresistible tendency toward idol worship. Read Judges 10:1 - 18 Q1. After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to (             ) Israel and (         ) Israel for 23 years. After him, (             ) rose up and (           ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called (                   ). Both (          ) and were buried in their hometowns. Answers πŸ‘‰ After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to ( deliver ) Israel and ( led ) Israel for 23 years. After him, ( Jair  ) rose up and (  led  ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called ( Havvoth Jair ). Both ( died ) and were buried in their hometowns. They "rose up." While there is no explicit mention that the Lord appointed them as judges, this does not necessarily mean they assumed leadership on their own.  Tola appears to have risen to deliver Israel du
Read more

16: Jephthah: An Outcast Turned Contract Leader (Judges 11:1 – 28)

Image
The background of Jephthah’s story is the eastern side of Jordan, especially Gilead. They kicked him out because he was born from a prostitute. But being invaded and oppressed, they called him to be their leader.  Read Judges 11:1 - 28 Q1: What was the problem for them when the Ammonites assembled to attack the Israelites? (10:18) Answers πŸ‘‰ There was no one to lead the battle. No one wanted to risk their own life in leading the army.  Q2: In what condition was Jephthah appointed as the leader of them?  Answer πŸ‘‰ To lead the army, fight against the Ammonites, and win. They did not apologize for their kicking him out. (8)  They had once cast out the one they marginalized, but now, they asked him to be their king for their survival. They offered no apologies for their past actions nor showed the courage or faithfulness needed to lead in battle. They were willing to become subjects if it meant saving their lives. Begging for survival was their true reason for seeking a ki
Read more

14: God restores the nation in His way (Judges 9:22 – 57)

There seemed to be no hope for Israel once Abimelech, a man like a thornbush, became king. Yet, see how the Lord, in His own ways, restores societal order and upholds justice. Read Judges 9:22 - 57 Q1. What was God’s way to make things right? (23) Answers πŸ‘‰ God sent a spirit to stir up hostility between Shechem’s people and Abimelech. “to stir up hostility” God doesn’t instill but stirs up the hostility already innate in our flesh.  Verse 24 explains why God did this. God’s justice stands for everyone. The violent deaths of the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal were avenged, and Abimelech and the people of Shechem had to pay for what they had done. Verse 25. In ancient times, ensuring secure travel and merchant routes was one of the king's responsibilities. Thus, the presence of bandits on travel passes was a sign of weakened governance. The leaders of Shechem covertly managed this to ensure Abimelech would lose reputation and support from the people. Q2. Gaal, son of Ebed—
Read more