The following is from OBC’s daily devotional for today:
During the night before he was betrayed Jesus met with his disciples, teaching them the characteristics of true faith. Here we read of Jesus’ promise to those who believe in him that though he would go to heaven he will return for believers (vv. 1-6).
Jesus then taught about his essential union with the Father (vv. 7-11). The Father and the Son are of the same essence (one God), but they are two different Persons. This is a matter of faith; Jesus said, “believe me…” (v. 11) and God gave truth that such faith believes and rests on: “the words that I speak to you…” (v. 10).
Jesus taught that those who truly love him show it by obeying him (vv. 15-24). This results in believers experiencing the Holy Spirit’s ministry, enjoying being loved by the Father, and having the Triune God dwell in the them (v. 23).
After Jesus would go to heaven the Holy Spirit would work in and through these disciples/apostles, resulting in their being the foundation of the church and authoring the NT (vv. 25-31; cf. Eph 2:20).
Truths to Nail Down and Meditate On
- Jesus will come again to bring Christians to be with him in heaven (vv. 1-3). This is called the rapture, Christ’s at-any-moment return in the clouds for Christians (1 Thess 4:13-17). Jesus said this to the eleven disciples in the upper room, yet did he fulfill this? Not yet! When Jesus returns to the clouds “the dead in Christ will rise first”—which will include the eleven disciples—“then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess 4:14-16).
- True faith in Jesus believes who he is (including his relation to the Father and the Holy Spirit), what he said, and obeys his commands. Anything less is not true faith in Jesus.
- What the NT says in every book is what Jesus says (v. 26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15).
