Do you believe? Has your belief changed you? A wise lady mentioned to me we need to be examining our own hearts. Let today be that day for you and me.
“Believe” shows up seven times in chapter 14. “Believe in God, believe also in Me”, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father”, “Believe Me that I am in Father and the Father in Me”, “believe me for the sake of works themselves”, “he who believes in Me, the works I do he will do also”, “And I have told you before I come… so you may believe”. Consider “belief” for a second and ask yourself (as I am doing the same), “Has my belief in Jesus changed me?”.
Jesus said, “Believe” then “he who believes in Me the works I do he will do also”. This chapter and the next few we will read takes place while Jesus is eating the last supper with His disciples. He had just told Judas to go and do what he planned to do. Jesus is now sitting and sharing these words all while Judas is betraying Him.
Jesus’ focus is on believing in Him. The next season of life for the disciples is about to be difficult but Jesus knows believing in Him and His Father will encourage them, even if they don’t realize in the moment. Jesus is saying I am in the Father, and He is in Me. The same unity with the Father and Jesus is offered to you and me. We can have that same closeness with Holy Spirit. What a gift?! I can go through life not considering this at times, but this is a big deal. Complete unity with the Holy Spirit of God.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
Father, forgive me for forgetting the unity I have been given with you because of Jesus’ sacrifice and Your gift of Holy Spirit. I thank You for the unity You’ve made possible to live and love like Jesus. Give me strength to attain this truth and walk it out in this world. Thank you, Father, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.