LIFE WITH THE SPIRIT

GOSPEL — JOHN 14:15-21
The Sixth Sunday of Easter

​What do we do when we feel abandoned by people we believed would always be there for us? When relationships end or coworkers betray us? When friends move or someone close to us dies? The impact of those losses can change our whole world. It can make us question our self-worth and make us wonder if we are really of any value. When this happens, it’s easy to ask if what we do actually matters.

As Jesus prepares his disciples for what life will be like for them after he dies, he tells them to keep his commandments and assures them they will not be left orphaned. It’s an important message for them to hear. They are about to experience the trauma of witnessing Jesus’ betrayal and death, the fear of being wanted men hiding from the authorities, and the grief of feeling like they have lost their purpose in life. Their world is about to be thrown into chaos because the person who had led them, taught them, and taken care of them would now be gone.

Jesus’ words are a promise that God’s love is too great to leave them abandoned. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever” (John 14:15-16). His words are also a promise that what they continue to do matters. Keeping his commandments isn’t necessary for God to love them, but doing so will serve as a reminder of their love for Jesus and will open them up to experiencing the Advocate in their lives. Jesus’ command to love God and our neighbor isn’t a fee we have to pay for the Spirit to spend time with us. It is our response to the powerful good news that the Spirit is with us forever.


From sundaysandseasons.com.
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