Apicontent

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.” —John 14:15–17

Our Lord Jesus came to this earth modeling a love and obedience for the Father that His disciples were and are expected to follow. Love and obedience do not spring from flowing a legalistic set of rules, but flow freely from a life of love for our Lord—all that He is, and all that He has done, and all that He continues to do for us. The Bible tells us: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.” —John 14:26

“And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him. By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love. We love because he loved us first. If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.” —1 John 4:16–21

Jesus desired for His disciples upon His departure to demonstrate their love for Him not through lamenting grief but through loving obedience to His commands. Throughout the Bible, this message is reiterated. I am reminded of one such passage in the Old Testament:

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says to the people of Judah: ‘You might as well go ahead and add the meat of your burnt offerings to that of the other sacrifices and eat it, too! Consider this: When I spoke to your ancestors after I brought them out of Egypt, I did not merely give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices. I also explicitly commanded them: “Obey me. If you do, I will be your God and you will be my people. Live exactly the way I tell you and things will go well with you.” But they did not listen to me or pay any attention to me. They followed the stubborn inclinations of their own wicked hearts. They acted worse and worse instead of better.’”—Jeremiah 7:21–24

Obedience to God is grounded in our trust that He has our best interest at heart. It is a faith that is based on a firm knowledge of who He is and a solid understanding of His ways. The more we know Him, the more we will love Him, and the more we love Him, the more we will trust Him and desire to be obedient to His will.

“Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments. The one who says ‘I have come to know God’ and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.” —1 John 2:3–6

It is when we go our own way, leaning upon our own flawed understanding and abilities that we stumble and fall.

In our verses for today, Jesus gives the disciples this great and glorious promise—as long as He is in heaven, they shall never want for a fresh supply of grace and comfort, wisdom and strength—given to them by the precious Holy Spirit. They shall never know the lack of a Comforter. This blessed promise was not only sure for them but also for every believer in Jesus thereafter. The Holy Spirit will never depart from a believer in Christ. We are sealed until He returns. The promise remains that He will never depart from us. Paul writes that the Holy Spirit is our identification of ownership to God as well as our authentication and approval—our certification of genuineness so to speak:

“And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.” —Ephesians 1:13–14

Become More

The Spirit is poured out upon us, equipping us to be like our Lord—not just outwardly but inwardly as well. The presence of God in this world is to be the Spirit indwelling in the heart of every believer. 

“By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down, because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world.”—1 John 5:2-4

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed.” —2 Corinthians 4:7–9

The Spirit constantly abides within the believer—equipping and comforting, encouraging and strengthening.

Further Reflections

“Love for God and obedience to God are so completely involved in each other that either one of them implies the other too.” —F. F. Bruce

“Sanctification is a life of Christ-centered choices, made evident in loving obedience to God.” —Mel De Peal

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” —John 14:13–14

Our Lord was constantly praying—He could be found both rising early as well as praying through the night. He certainly prayed prior to or at every major event of His life—His baptism, His choosing of the disciples, in the garden prior to His betrayal, and even on the cross—setting for us an example. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

“Pray continually.” —1 Thessalonians 5:17

James wrote:

“So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.” —James 5:16

It is God’s desire for us to have continual communication with Him in the midst of our daily living.

In our verses for today, Jesus was telling His disciples how they would stay in touch with Him after His soon-to-be departure. They would derive power from Him through prayer after He left to go to His Father’s side. They would send forth their prayers and Jesus would communicate to them by the Spirit.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is our great High Priest who sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:

“But he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” —Hebrews 7:24–25

“Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” —Hebrews 4:16

Become More

Here are a few tips that I have found beneficial in my prayer life and they may be helpful to you! I find that there are many ways to offer prayer and all are necessary and important.

First of all, it is essential to have time alone with the Lord, pouring out our inmost thoughts and concerns. It is simply a matter of letting Him know of our deepest heart matters.

It is also important to pray with others. I find it helpful to pray with someone as soon as I receive a request from another or desire a request myself. This keeps me from forgetting to pray as well as giving me the privilege of corporate prayer. Again, Jesus tells us in God’s Word:

“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.” —Matthew 18:19–20

At other times I simply pray throughout the day as thoughts come to me. Perhaps it is to praise Him or thank Him, perhaps He brings someone to mind for me to pray for. 

I also seek to pray God’s Word back to Him. He is always faithful to His promises. Hiding His Word in my heart helps keep it always at hand. Scripture is full of promises to pray for ourselves and for our families.

Remember to thank God for His answers. God enjoys it when we are thankful for what He gives us.

Journaling your prayer requests is an easy way to keep up and remember all the ways that God is answering your requests and also to record all of the things you are thankful for.

“In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18

Further Reflections

Fervent, focused prayer; seriously, is there anything more difficult? To go into a room and close the door and pray to the Father who is unseen sounds simple and blessedly rewarding enough, yet I find that it all too often takes more effort and skill to stay on task than I apparently possess. Something tells me I am not alone in this. Indeed, the disciples wanted the Lord Jesus to teach them the secret of His connection with His Father after observing Him model prayer.

“But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:6

“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer.” —F. B. Meyer

“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content.’ Jesus replied, ‘Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves.’” —John 14:8–11

Our Lord’s words to Philip seem to be full of discouragement. Certainly, Philip should have known better. It appears that in every age there is a natural wish of man for some extraordinary revelation of the Father, an earnest desire for further light, a yearning for the miraculous. “Show us the Father” was Philip’s plea, yet this request reveals not only the weakness of his faith but also the lack of his understanding of God’s way of revealing himself. To see with earthly eyes is one thing, but to see with eyes of faith is quite another.

The writer of Hebrews tells us: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. For by it the people of old received God’s commendation.” —Hebrews 11:1–2

Faith is not only having a surety and certainty regarding unseen realities and hopes, it is also to be the lens by which we view all of life’s experiences. It is not a blind hope; it is a firm grounding in the truth of the Lord Jesus. When Jesus was on earth, he prayed:

“Righteous Father, even if the world does not know you, I know you, and these men know that you sent me. I made known your name to them, and I will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them, and I may be in them.” —John 17:25–26

Jesus tells His disciples to believe Him—based on the credibility and reliability of His Word and on His miraculous works. These two convincing truths point to the fact that to know Jesus is to know the Father as well.

Christ’s miracles were proof of His divine mission. His miracles—the finger marks of God—things too hard for man to do. Only God can make the blind miraculously see, the dead rise, and the insane sane. These signs were given both for the conviction of the unregenerate and for the confirmation of the faith of His disciples. Indisputable proofs—who but God could do such things as these?

“If I do not perform the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” —John 10:37–38

Become More

There is a close and mysterious unity between the three persons of the Trinity with which our finite minds can perhaps grasp but only a glimmer. How very little we realize the fullness of this unity! Jesus taught his disciples many things when he walked on this earth and of these, certain mighty truths simply passed right over their heads. It was not until afterwards that his words were remembered and became clearer.

“Want of trust is at the root of almost all our sins and all our weaknesses, and how shall we escape it but by looking to Him and observing His faithfulness. The man who holds God’s faithfulness will not be foolhardy or reckless, but will be ready for every emergency.” —Hudson Taylor

Further Reflections

I am supremely happy that God did not choose for me to live in Biblical times, simply because I have a nagging suspicion I would have ended up looking as unfavorably as some that we have read about recently. First, we have Peter demonstrating his presumption, next, Thomas his doubts, and now, Philip his lack of faith. Each one of these disciples bring their humanness to Scripture!

“I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. The glory you gave to me I have given to them, that they may be one just as we are one—I in them and you in me—that they may be completely one, so that the world will know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.” —John 17:20–23

“Jesus replied, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” —John 14:6

In these verses we discover three glorious names which Jesus gives himself—He is the way, He is the truth, and He is the life. To be sure, He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. Entirely exclusive, while all the while offering inclusivity, He offers the only way to all, the only truth to all, and the only life to all.

Jesus is the way: No one may come to the Father except through Him. He is not only the path, the journey, the manner of life or action we are to take, He is also the only door through which anyone may enter into the presence of the Father. Faith in Jesus is the key to heaven—it is also the key to the fullness of life in the here and now. The person that believes in the Lord is on the right road. Through His blood, we may draw close with boldness and have access with confidence into God’s presence.

Jesus is the truth: When we search for truth, we need to look no further than the truth that is in Jesus. He is absolute truth, ultimate truth, true truth. He satisfies every desire of the human mind. Being very God of very God, He is boundless and measureless in the depth of the riches of His wisdom and knowledge. He is truth, reality, and fact. Truth is not relative—truth is Jesus. We are to know Him, study Him, learn from Him, and follow Him. As his disciples, we are to bear His image. We grow in this process by studying and applying His Word to our lives and through prayer.

Jesus is the life: Those that believe in Jesus not only have eternal life, but also have access to the abundant life in the here and now as they walk in the power of the Spirit. Christ is the source of all life. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing of eternal value because those works always lack life.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” —John 15:5

Become More

Jesus clearly says in our verse for today that He is the only means of entrance to the Father—shutting out all other ways of access to the Father. He stresses that, contrary to what many might believe, salvation is not obtainable through any other means. Only one way exists, and it is through the purifying and redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus.

“It avails nothing that a man is clever, learned, highly gifted, amiable, charitable, kind-hearted, and zealous about some sort of religion. All this will not save his soul if he does not draw near to God by Christ’s atonement, and make use of God’s own Son as his Mediator and Saviour. God is so holy that all men are guilty and debtors in His sight. Sin is so sinful that no mortal man can make satisfaction for it. There must be a mediator, a ransom-payer, a redeemer, between ourselves and God, or else we can never be saved. —John Charles Ryle

Further Reflection

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” —John 10:7–9

“Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.” —John 14:1–3

Ever experienced a heart that was stirred with agitation? More than likely Jesus looked into the faces of His disciples and saw anxiety heavy in their eyes. Our Lord, who sees the unrevealed sorrows and wounds that bleed inwardly, would certainly not have missed the many things troubling His disciples at this point. Jesus had just told them of His forthcoming departure which would occur with immense suffering. He had told them that one of their own would be a traitor and that Peter himself would deny Him three times.

Jesus would be leaving them and they could not come with Him. He was their leader. He was the One in whom they placed their hope. He was the One who was to deliver Israel! The weight of all these recent revelations must have greatly pressed upon them leaving them discouraged and depressed and feeling deserted and exposed.

In our verses for today, Jesus prescribes a sure and precious remedy for the disease of a troubled heart: Trust—both in God and in the Son. “Trust” used here means to be persuaded in the truthfulness of and to have total confidence in and reliance upon. Our trust in God and our Lord Jesus turns our troubled hearts into comforted ones, keeping us free from the agitation that confidence in our own abilities brings.

In the midst of our anxiety, we are not to be like the troubled sea when it cannot rest. Scripture encourages us with these words:

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7

The Great Shepherd, always knowing the condition of His sheep, sweetly begins to speak in their ears these wonderful words of encouragement—rich in precious truth:

“There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you.”

These words are certainly just as true for every believer in Christ as they were when they were first spoken to Jesus’ disciples. He would indeed be going, but in His going, He would be preparing a place for them (and for us) so that we all may always and forever be where He is.

Our assurance is built on the veracity of our Lord’s word as well as the sincere love and affection He has for all who follow Him.

It is important for us to remember that we are only travelers here—earth is not our home, heaven is! That is the promise of Scripture. Heaven is a house—not a tabernacle. Heaven is the Father’s house—my Father’s house, your Father’s house. It is a place of mansions—lasting, eternal, and permanent. A place where we will be settled—a place where we will be loved for our own sakes—not for our gifts or possessions. A place where we are always welcomed.

Heaven is a place where Christ is continually present. He will be in our midst forever. Christ is our reason for peace and our power for a calm and steadfast heart.

Become More

There are rooms in heaven, durable and lasting. Our heavenly estate is not for years, but rather for eternity. Jesus is not preparing our lodging in order for it to stand empty; neither are His preparations in vain. As He is preparing the place, He is also preparing us, his servants, so that in due time we will be put in possession of it.

Further Reflections

“Heart-trouble is the commonest thing in the world. No rank, or class, or condition is exempt from it. No bars, or bolts, or locks can keep it out. Partly from inward causes and partly from outward, partly from the body and partly from the mind, partly from what we love and partly from what we fear, the journey of life is full of trouble. Even the best of Christians have many bitter cups to drink between grace and glory. Even the holiest saints find the world a vale of tears.” —John Charles Ryle

“Our duty as Christians is always to keep heaven in our eye and earth under our feet.” —Matthew Henry

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16–18

“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34–35

Just as Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, we are to be the embodiment of His love. He now gives this charge to all of His followers … we must love one another!

Loving others is both a great duty and a high calling as it helps to strengthen those around us by encouraging and refreshing them along the way. It is a Christian grace that is not to be merely in our heads, but a practice in our lives. We must live out God’s love in our tempers and our words, in our being and in our doing. It must show in our behavior and conduct toward all, and in particular fellow believers, regarding them as brothers and sisters. There is nothing that the world needs more than the demonstration of pure Biblical love. People may not understand theology or doctrine but they can experience Christian love. True love will capture their attention and often their hearts. True love always points to Jesus. It is quite different from the emotional love that the world values. We will also discover that as we love and encourage others we will be strengthened as well.

Love is a fundamental and everlasting command of Christ. It is to be the badge of all our Lord’s disciples. It is His desire for us to be noticed for our love as a distinguishing trait of His family. Just as our earthly families have familial traits, love is to be our spiritual familial trait. This goes against the grain of the world, which touts an “every man for himself” mentality. This is not to be the way of the Christian! Scripture is filled with the call for love amongst Christian brothers and sisters. John writes in one of his letters that our love for one another is a sign that we are truly children of the King:

“We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death.” —1 John 3:14

“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.” —1 John 4:10–12

What exactly does the love of Christ look like? Paul gives us a clear description in 1 Corinthians. It is only through the Holy Spirit’s power equipping and enabling us that we are able to consistently live this out this kind of love. Biblical love does not come to us naturally. This is why when it is demonstrated in a life, it points to God and never fails to bear fruit. Paul writes:

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside.” —1 Corinthians 13:4–8

Become More

Paul says that if anything is done apart from the motivation of love—no matter how wonderful—it is worth nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). He tells us that love it is greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13). As Christians, we are to be a people known and marked by love.

Further Reflection

“Let us note how far from satisfactory is the state of those who are content with sound doctrinal opinions, and orthodox correct views of the Gospel, while in their daily life they give way to ill-temper, ill-nature, malice, envy, quarrelling, squabbling, bickering, surliness, passion, snappish language, and crossness of word and manner. Such persons, whether they know it or not, are daily proclaiming that they are not Christ’s disciples. It is nonsense to talk about justification, and regeneration, and election, and conversion, and the uselessness of works, unless people can see in us practical Christian love.” —John Charles Ryle

“The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has a judge; the word I have spoken will judge him at the last day. For I have not spoken from my own authority, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Thus the things I say, I say just as the Father has told me.” —John 12:48–50

God spoke decisively and finally through His Son. To reject the Word of Jesus is be to reject the Word of God the Father. Jesus said the following regarding this truth:

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds.” —John 14:10

The writer of Hebrews tells us:

“After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.” —Hebrews 1:1–2

Jesus gave proof of His union with the Father in three ways—through His character, through His words, and through the miracles He performed. Our obedience to Jesus will grow out of our love for Him. He tells us that if we love Him, we will obey Him. When we obey Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit abide with us—equipping us to both hear and heed the His will.

Jesus came first to offer salvation to the whole world. We are at fault if we reject this truth. Nothing is more dreadful than abused patience and grace that is constantly trampled on. There will be a certain and unavoidable future judgment on those refusing to believe the teaching of Jesus—the day of the righteous judgment of God. The very words Christ spoke will themselves judge those who willingly choose not to believe them. The idea behind the word “reject” in our verses for today is one of despising—deliberating refusing to acknowledge Him as the Messiah in spite of all he taught and all the miracles He performed. The rejection and unbelief of those who despise our Lord will not go unpunished no matter what people choose to believe.

It will be impossible to deny the truth and wisdom and mercy of Jesus’ words on the last day and they will be used against those who despise Him. This will be speechless, unanswerable to the words of Christ. Be assured, the words of Christ never fall to the ground—they are always operative. Scripture tells us:

“In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.” —Isaiah 55:11

The writer of Hebrews states this truth as well:

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” —Hebrews 4:12–13

Become More

Our Lord warns us that it is a serious sin to refuse His words. We are to take heed. These were not our Lord’s words alone, but the very words of God the Father. Jesus was sent to this earth with a commission of what to say and speak to men. He spoke the true counsel of the most holy God.

“For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.” —2 Timothy 1:11–12

Peter was thoroughly convinced that Jesus’ words lead to life and rightly confessed:

“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God!” — John 6:68–69

We must live as those who believe in the truth of the judgment, and of heaven, and of hell. Jesus deserves our all! We can never serve God too much! Christ died for us—nothing is too great for us to do for Him.

Further Reflections

“Pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive sight, that you may know yourself and be brought to God’s feet, and that you may see the glory of God and Christ, may be raised from the dead, and have the love of Christ shed abroad in your heart. Those that have most of these things still need to pray for them; for there so much blindness and hardness and pride and death remaining that they still need to have that work of God upon them, further to enlighten and enliven them. This will be a further bringing out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and a kind of new conversion.” —Jonathan Edwards, Advice to Young Converts

“The person who does not love me does not obey my words. And the word you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.” —John 14:24

“Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they would not confess Jesus to be the Christ, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. But Jesus shouted out, ‘The one who believes in me does not believe in me, but in the one who sent me.’” —John 12:42–45

In our verses for today, we see even among the leaders there were those who were persuaded that Jesus was the Messiah. Sadly, they were not bold enough to acknowledge their faith for fear of the consequences that might develop. It would appear that all of humankind seeks approval and acceptance. We worry about the praise of the creature rather than striving for the praise of the Creator. Earlier in John, Jesus said:

“I do not accept praise from people, but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?” —John 5:41–44

Does the praise of men tickle our ears and motivate our actions, prompting us to have very little or no regard for the praise of God? This is a cause for many a downfall. King Saul is a perfect example from scripture. The first King of Israel suffered with the problem of people pleasing. Neglecting the Lord’s command to totally destroy the Amalekites and everything belonging to them, Saul spared the king and some of the best of the sheep and cattle and lambs. His actions did not please God:

“Then the LORD’s message came to Samuel: ‘I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from me and has not done what I told him to do.’” —1 Samuel 15:10

When Samuel questioned Saul, we discover the reason for his disobedience:

“Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the LORD commanded and your words as well. For I was afraid of the army, and I obeyed their voice.’” —1 Samuel 15:24

Saul proved to be a coward. He was unwilling to stand for the difficult right against the easy wrong in an effort to be embraced and praised by flesh and blood. Paul had it right when he wrote to the Thessalonians:

“For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you—it has not proven to be purposeless. But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition. For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others.” —1 Thessalonians 2:1–6

Make no mistake about it, when we reject Jesus, we reject God. There is an entire unity between Jesus and the Father, a complete and mysterious oneness. To trust in the Son—the sent Savior of sinners—is to also trust in the Father—the One who sent Jesus to save. Though distinct persons of the Trinity, they cannot be divided. The unity of Jesus and the Father are so complete that to honor God is to honor the Son as well, and conversely, to dishonor one is to dishonor the other.

Become More

God makes himself known through Jesus Christ. To believe in Jesus is to believe in God. God’s essential nature is disclosed in our Lord Jesus. Knowing God comes through knowing his Son and paying attention to his deeds. Jesus came to make God known to us. The apostle John said: ‘No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.’” —John 1:18

Further Reflection

“Men who fear God face life fearlessly.” —Richard Halverson

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.” —John 12:31–33

Evil atoned for, Satan a defeated foe, salvation offered—this is the message of the cross! Jesus speaks here with a divine exultation and triumph. The dark order of things which had prevailed in the world since the fall of man would now be spoiled. The world would no longer be subjected to Satan and the powers of darkness.

More than likely we have an inadequate perspective of the perverseness which prevailed at the time of Jesus’ advent—the extreme extent to which Satan was wreaking havoc on the world. Demonic possession, idolatry, child sacrifice, and a myriad of other perversions dominated the landscape. The godless order of things would be tolerated no longer. Christ died for a world that was without God and without hope—a world that had chosen open rebellion. Christ ended Satan’s dominion by His death on the cross. The head of the serpent was now bruised.

Jesus came to set the captives free. Therefore, we must not choose to remain in slavery! Rather, through His power, we are to break free from the chains which blind and bind us—yoking ourselves to Christ:

“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.” —Galatians 5:1

Paul wrote to the Colossians:

“And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him—if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.” —Colossians 1:21–23

And then in the next chapter:

“And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” —Colossians 2:13–15

The death of Christ on the cross had and continues to have a drawing effect on all humankind. His death as our substitute and His sacrifice for our sins draws people from every tribe and nation to believe on Him and receive Him as Savior. Whenever the powerful story of the cross is told, souls are converted and drawn to Jesus in all parts of the world. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross perfectly fills the need of all peoples.

I am reminded of the words found in Joel which are repeated by Paul in Romans:

“And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered.” —Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13

Become More

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless.” —1 Corinthians 1:17

Further Reflections

“Brilliantly persuasive eloquence may win a person’s mind but not his heart, whereas the unadorned words of the gospel, though seemingly foolish by human standards, are made effective by the Spirit of God.” —Bible Knowledge Commentary

“If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be too. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” —John 12:26

One command, two promises—how like Jesus! 

The command: “Follow me.”

The promises: “Where I am, my servant will be too,” and “The Father will honor him.”

Just as the scholar follows the teacher, just as the sheep follows the shepherd, just as the soldier follows the commanding officer, so too, the professing believer in Christ follows the Lord Jesus. There is a consistent command in Scripture—given by Jesus to His disciples—both then and now—for believers to follow Him. Matthew tells us:

“He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!’” —Matthew 4:19

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’” —Matthew 16:24

The word “follow” carries with it a rich meaning. It is from the Greek word akoloutheo meaning: “To be an attendant, accompany, go with or follow; distinguished from the occasional and temporary following of Jesus by the crowds or individuals in general; the individual calling to follow Jesus involved abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning as a student from his teacher but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for, which presented itself in this fellowship; the first thing involved in following Jesus is a cleaving to Him in believing trust and obedience, those cleaving to Him also following His leading and acting according to His example.”

As we believe what Christ says and strive to do what He commands—even with the smallest amount of knowledge and perhaps great difficulty, with little grace and dim hope, weak as we may be—Jesus declares that His followers belong to Him!

However, to serve Christ in name alone is rather easy work—the world is full of those proclaiming faith while all the while living their lives for themselves. Costing little and satisfying most people, this claim to faith lacks power because it is not grounded in truth. Our world deems those who follow Jesus with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind foolish and often rewards them with ridicule, laughter, or opposition. Yet as believers, we are not to seek the praise of man, but of God. Jesus tells us earlier in John:

“How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?” — John 5:44

As believers, we are called to do the things that Christ has taught us: walk as He walked, go where He leads. God honors the servant who serves His Son. God will make amends for our worldly pain and loss.

“The reward is honour, true lasting honour, the highest honour; it is the honour that comes from God. Those who wait on Christ, God will honour. Those who serve Christ must humble themselves, and are commonly vilified by the world, in recompense of both which they shall be exalted in due time.” —Matthew Henry

Become More

Christ and His servants shall never be parted—we shall be with Christ wherever He is—in paradise and in His glorious kingdom. Whatever the Master has, the servant shall have also. This is why the apostle Paul could so boldly state:

“For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us.” —Romans 8:18

Further Reflections

“After these things the Lord’s message came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and the one who will reward you in great abundance.’” —Genesis 15:1

“We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living. Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again.” —2 Corinthians 1:8–10