John 14:23-29. Can live at peace! 14/5/07
{23) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. {25} "All this I have spoken while still with you. {26} But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. {27} Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. {28} "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. {29} I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
Here in the lead up to Jesus’ ascension and then Pentecost, he gives his disciples some very good advice and reminders of some very important things that they and his Church will hold dearly to. Because he will no longer physically and visibly be with his people, he wants them to have the same peace and confidence of knowing that he and his Father and the Spirit are with them, even though we cannot see him.
But this raises the question that troubles many people today. How do we know and how can we be sure that God is with us today? So we find many ‘Christian’ looking for visible and outward signs: looking for the ‘magic bullet’ that will give them the assurances, blessings and peace that they long for. They are looking for that ‘something spectacular’ that will suggest that they are on the right track.
With that, they then are constantly left unsure, searching, creating division and disharmony. ‘Perhaps we need more of this spiritual gift, or that experience, or something else.’ This one says and suggests this, another seeks to put the emphasis somewhere else. How can we know for sure? Which is right? This leaves them unsettled and unsure. It’s all too hard.
Yet it is in this whole area that Jesus wants to reassure his followers there is a peace and certainty that he has for us; guaranteed. We can be sure that he is present with us; that his Spirit is with and leading us to what we need to know. He does have for us that which gives us the certainty that we need, as we go through life every day.
But he makes it quite clear however that this presence, certainty and peace only comes to those who love him. "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
But what does it mean that we are to love him? We all would say that we love Jesus. However the love that the Bible speaks of, is a love that is completely devoted to the other. The other is the one that we are completely focussed on and see as important. So if Jesus is the one who is all important to us then we have the assurance that he has all of this and much more for us.
If Jesus is the one we are completely devoted to, then we will obey his teaching. Obey here has much more the idea of guard, keep or watch. People will only guard that which they think is valuable and important. They will make themselves dependent on this and will allow their lives and actions to be determined by it. So because God’s Word is valuable and all important for us and for our lives, we will see ourselves as being dependent on it and we will live by what it says.
With that being the case in our lives then Jesus says that he and the Father will make their home with us. With God’s Word as central in our lives we don’t only have the assurance that God is pleased with us, or that he looks favourably on us. No, it says he will make his home with us: he will dwell in us, and be inseparably associated with us always. That is his promises and assurance to us today and always. We don’t need extra experiences or ‘something more.’ We have his promise that when we hold dear his Word and teaching he is with us always.
But along with that, he also says that the person who does not take his Word seriously, but thinks that they can ignore, change or play with what we have in the Bible; they therefore do not love him. The implication of course is that they then do not have the presence, peace and assurance that Jesus has here in mind for us. And as we look across the ‘Christian’ scene today, I believe this speaks volumes. People and churches are troubled and afraid, torn apart by diverse thinking and more. Look, listen and learn.
But so often we hear, ‘But that is only your interpretation. Surely they also may be right. How do we know?’ And that thinking goes on. So Jesus goes on here to make the point that, the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. So we are not left to each make up our own interpretation: where we can twist and change that Word to suit what we want it to say. No, the Spirit will remind you of everything that Jesus said and taught.
And what is it that was his central teaching? That we must turn away from our sinful, selfish way of living; that is looking to ourselves and our wants and desires. And turn to look to Jesus as God himself come into our world, to die on the cross, so that we might have the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of eternal life with God. Then he rose from the dead so that we can be absolutely sure that he was who he said he was, and that everything he said and promised for us, is for real.
So the Sprit’s work is not primarily to give us some extra-ordinary gifts so that we can feel good and so that be sure that he is with us. No, it is always, first and foremost, his objective to point us to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for us and for our salvation. Having done that he has done what he was sent to do. So when we read and listen to the words of the Bible, we know that the Spirit is at work for us, when he is pointing us to Jesus Christ and the cross. If we are being encouraged to doubt, divide or change that Word, or to shift the focus from what Christ has and is doing, to us and what we do or think, then we best beware. It just might be another spirit at work.
However with the Spirit pointing us to Jesus and the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and as we guard dearly this Word of his, showing that he is the one who is all important to us and our lives, he assures us that he is with us. Then he goes on to say, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Yes now we have the complete assurance that his peace is now ours; freely given to us. The absolute certainty that we are loved, forgiven, have eternal life and much more is all there for us guaranteed; here and now. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. From this we can see that this peace is far more than feelings and experience. Because it is given by our Lord it is not dependant on me, my faith or lack of it, or anything else. It is his gift and promise that is there with us always; through thick and thin.
So as we look to him and focus on him, all this and more is yours and mine, here and now, as we live without Jesus visible presence here with us. As Jesus says, that is a good thing that he goes physically away from us, for physically he could only be at one place at one time. However now that he has gone to the Father, not only has he sent his Spirit to lead and guide us, but now he and the Father also promises to dwell in those who love him.
What a promise! What a reassurance that is, to us who are living at a time when there is much unrest and diversionary thinking, all with the aim of trying to reassure ourselves that God is with us; and in an effort to find this peace that God has to give. Yet here again we are reminded that it is all there for those who love Jesus. For again if we believe that he is the one who is all important, then we will treasure and guard his Word, listening to what his Spirit leads us to know. That of course is nothing other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. There we know that we are loved, forgiven and assured of all the blessings that God himself would have for us. Yes nothing now can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. His peace has been left with us; his presence is with us.
What joy; what reassurance, what peace this message is for us as we live as his people day in day out. To our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, therefore be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
{23) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. {25} "All this I have spoken while still with you. {26} But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. {27} Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. {28} "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. {29} I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
Here in the lead up to Jesus’ ascension and then Pentecost, he gives his disciples some very good advice and reminders of some very important things that they and his Church will hold dearly to. Because he will no longer physically and visibly be with his people, he wants them to have the same peace and confidence of knowing that he and his Father and the Spirit are with them, even though we cannot see him.
But this raises the question that troubles many people today. How do we know and how can we be sure that God is with us today? So we find many ‘Christian’ looking for visible and outward signs: looking for the ‘magic bullet’ that will give them the assurances, blessings and peace that they long for. They are looking for that ‘something spectacular’ that will suggest that they are on the right track.
With that, they then are constantly left unsure, searching, creating division and disharmony. ‘Perhaps we need more of this spiritual gift, or that experience, or something else.’ This one says and suggests this, another seeks to put the emphasis somewhere else. How can we know for sure? Which is right? This leaves them unsettled and unsure. It’s all too hard.
Yet it is in this whole area that Jesus wants to reassure his followers there is a peace and certainty that he has for us; guaranteed. We can be sure that he is present with us; that his Spirit is with and leading us to what we need to know. He does have for us that which gives us the certainty that we need, as we go through life every day.
But he makes it quite clear however that this presence, certainty and peace only comes to those who love him. "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
But what does it mean that we are to love him? We all would say that we love Jesus. However the love that the Bible speaks of, is a love that is completely devoted to the other. The other is the one that we are completely focussed on and see as important. So if Jesus is the one who is all important to us then we have the assurance that he has all of this and much more for us.
If Jesus is the one we are completely devoted to, then we will obey his teaching. Obey here has much more the idea of guard, keep or watch. People will only guard that which they think is valuable and important. They will make themselves dependent on this and will allow their lives and actions to be determined by it. So because God’s Word is valuable and all important for us and for our lives, we will see ourselves as being dependent on it and we will live by what it says.
With that being the case in our lives then Jesus says that he and the Father will make their home with us. With God’s Word as central in our lives we don’t only have the assurance that God is pleased with us, or that he looks favourably on us. No, it says he will make his home with us: he will dwell in us, and be inseparably associated with us always. That is his promises and assurance to us today and always. We don’t need extra experiences or ‘something more.’ We have his promise that when we hold dear his Word and teaching he is with us always.
But along with that, he also says that the person who does not take his Word seriously, but thinks that they can ignore, change or play with what we have in the Bible; they therefore do not love him. The implication of course is that they then do not have the presence, peace and assurance that Jesus has here in mind for us. And as we look across the ‘Christian’ scene today, I believe this speaks volumes. People and churches are troubled and afraid, torn apart by diverse thinking and more. Look, listen and learn.
But so often we hear, ‘But that is only your interpretation. Surely they also may be right. How do we know?’ And that thinking goes on. So Jesus goes on here to make the point that, the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. So we are not left to each make up our own interpretation: where we can twist and change that Word to suit what we want it to say. No, the Spirit will remind you of everything that Jesus said and taught.
And what is it that was his central teaching? That we must turn away from our sinful, selfish way of living; that is looking to ourselves and our wants and desires. And turn to look to Jesus as God himself come into our world, to die on the cross, so that we might have the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of eternal life with God. Then he rose from the dead so that we can be absolutely sure that he was who he said he was, and that everything he said and promised for us, is for real.
So the Sprit’s work is not primarily to give us some extra-ordinary gifts so that we can feel good and so that be sure that he is with us. No, it is always, first and foremost, his objective to point us to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for us and for our salvation. Having done that he has done what he was sent to do. So when we read and listen to the words of the Bible, we know that the Spirit is at work for us, when he is pointing us to Jesus Christ and the cross. If we are being encouraged to doubt, divide or change that Word, or to shift the focus from what Christ has and is doing, to us and what we do or think, then we best beware. It just might be another spirit at work.
However with the Spirit pointing us to Jesus and the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and as we guard dearly this Word of his, showing that he is the one who is all important to us and our lives, he assures us that he is with us. Then he goes on to say, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Yes now we have the complete assurance that his peace is now ours; freely given to us. The absolute certainty that we are loved, forgiven, have eternal life and much more is all there for us guaranteed; here and now. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. From this we can see that this peace is far more than feelings and experience. Because it is given by our Lord it is not dependant on me, my faith or lack of it, or anything else. It is his gift and promise that is there with us always; through thick and thin.
So as we look to him and focus on him, all this and more is yours and mine, here and now, as we live without Jesus visible presence here with us. As Jesus says, that is a good thing that he goes physically away from us, for physically he could only be at one place at one time. However now that he has gone to the Father, not only has he sent his Spirit to lead and guide us, but now he and the Father also promises to dwell in those who love him.
What a promise! What a reassurance that is, to us who are living at a time when there is much unrest and diversionary thinking, all with the aim of trying to reassure ourselves that God is with us; and in an effort to find this peace that God has to give. Yet here again we are reminded that it is all there for those who love Jesus. For again if we believe that he is the one who is all important, then we will treasure and guard his Word, listening to what his Spirit leads us to know. That of course is nothing other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. There we know that we are loved, forgiven and assured of all the blessings that God himself would have for us. Yes nothing now can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. His peace has been left with us; his presence is with us.
What joy; what reassurance, what peace this message is for us as we live as his people day in day out. To our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, therefore be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
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