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Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. (John 14:23-29)
Jesus had just told His disciples He was going into hospice care. Actually, Jesus was more direct; He told them He was going to suffer and die at the hands of His enemies. News about pending death do not arrive nor are received well in most cases. Jesus was 33 years old; I'm getting to be twice that old soon, Lord willing. Or let's just say I'm closer there than I am to 33, though I'm still young and feel young. Thirty-three years of age is not a good age to die in our opinion, and certainly not in the opinion of those disciples who had left everything to follow Him. But Jesus is saying, You won't be alone. Stay in love with me and show it by keeping what I've taught you and God will come and live in you; and, I'm sending you someone special, the Holy Spirit who will be your Advocate. The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I've taught you; I want you to have peace, the kind that soothes your heart and does not trouble you. You will see me again.
The sadness they felt, and the experiences they went through were tougher than they imagined, but it was after the Resurrection they began to understand as they witnessed what they saw and as Pentecost arrived, they were made sure of what Jesus had promised. From that point on they lived the life that Jesus had intended all along, a life that trusts God and blesses others. You and I are in Easter season approaching Pentecost and we have been blessed. We should live lives that give witness to that peace and strength that Jesus has shared with us. After all, we have a comforter and counselor who will guide us if asked.
PRAYER: Loving God, bless me with a deeper faith, peace, and strength to live like Jesus wanted. Let me bless those whom I meet today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
