God’s Guiding Word: Spiritual Renewal

May 13

Introduction

John 14:15–31: Today’s reading continues the “Farewell Discourse” or final words of Jesus to his disciples prior to his arrest, trial, and death. Jesus promises his followers that he will send the Holy Spirit to teach and guide them. The reading concludes with Jesus offering his followers his own peace and his promise that he will return.

Today’s Key Verse: John 14:21

[Jesus said:] “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Reading

15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.

18 “When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; and because I live, you also will live. 20 When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me, just as I am in you.

21 “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”

22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “Lord, how can it be that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them. 24 Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.

25 “I have told you this while I am still with you. 26 The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.

27 “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am leaving, but I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father; for he is greater than I. 29 I have told you this now before it all happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. 30 I cannot talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father; that is why I do everything as he commands me.

“Come, let us go from this place.

Reflect

How do you understand the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? In what ways does the Holy Spirit teach and guide you? Reread verse 27. What is your understanding of the peace that Jesus offers?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you have sent the Holy Spirit to teach and guide me in the way of truth. Teach me to accept and obey your commandments and help me to live in accord with your will. Fill my heart with your peace. Amen.

And now, join us in praying for the people of Sudan and the work of the Bible Society in Sudan. Loving God, we pray for an end to the war in Sudan; nearly 2.5 million people are displaced internally, and 4 million more have fled to neighboring countries. The Bible Society in Sudan is facing numerous challenges—but prayerfully persists. Thanks to the support of Bible-A-Month Partners, the Bible Society continues to find ways to minister to the suffering Christian community in Sudan, even as church buildings are being bombed. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

John 15:1–17: Jesus is the real vine.