John 14:15-31 (NIV)
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone 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 Advocate, 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. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.
Exegesis
Love for Jesus produces obedience to Jesus (vv. 15, 21, 23-24, 28, 31): Our love for Christ is not shown in “words only” but in “action and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18). Our confession of faith and love for Christ will be proved by our obedience to His commands.
Jesus returns to the Father (vv. 16, 20-21, 23-24, 28, 31): Having come from heaven in human likeness (John 1:1, 14), the Son of God is about to fulfill the purpose for which He came, and return to the Father to be glorified. Jesus did not intend to live to an old age so He could continue to dispense His wisdom and build His ministry with His disciples. He had to go to the cross when He did, and He had to return to the Father to: (a) Sit at the right hand of God and receive all authority (Psalm 110:1-2; Daniel 7:13; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:32-36; Revelation 5), (b) Present Himself as the “once for all” sacrifice (John 14:6-8; Hebrews 10:25-27; 10:20), (c) Make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2), (d) Prepare our place in heaven until the end times (John 14:1-3), and (e) Send the Holy Spirit to be with us (Acts 1:4-8; 2:32-33).
The Holy Spirit brings Christians into union with the Father and the Son (vv. 16-21, 25-26): Jesus says He is leaving His disciples, but then says “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” He will come to them through “another Advocate.” Another who is like Him, to live with them and be in them forever. Through the Advocate would Jesus “show Himself” to those that love Him. Moreover, the Father and the Son would make their home with that person. The Advocate is called the “Spirit of Truth” (v. 17) and “the Holy Spirit” (v. 26). “The Spirit’s function is to represent God to the believer as Jesus did in his incarnate state” (EBC). The Spirit’s abiding presence guides us into obedience by reminding of us Jesus’ words.
The world cannot see Christ or the Holy Spirit, only the disciples can (vv. 17, 22): When Jesus raised from the dead, He didn’t hold a press conference to let the world know; He appeared to those who loved Him. Approximately 500 people bore witness to the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). Similarly, the world cannot “receive” “see” or “know” the Advocate (v. 17). Those who receive Christ receive the Holy Spirit; receiving the Holy Spirit is vital to what it means to be a Christian (Romans 8:9-11).
Application
- Show your love for Jesus by obeying His commands!
- Don’t play make believe Christianity, but live by the power of the Holy Spirit!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25