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23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. (John 14:23-29 NIV)
Happy Monday, my dear Friend! A Blessed Week of Worship and Wonder be yours is my prayer. I pray that you have been a blessing to many already in this day as early as it may yet be! But there's still time!
In this chapter Jesus has already spoken to His disciples about His upcoming death. "Let not your hearts be troubled," Jesus said, and spoke about His Father's house and the many rooms it has, and how He will return to His Father's House to prepare a room for us; so that where He is, we may be also. Yet, there was much still to do and miles yet to travel on this journey to which Jesus had invited and brought His band of disciples. In addition to the hope He is sharing, He is also stressing the need for love and obedience. Love from the Father will come to those who do love God and others; and the promise is that God, both Father and Son will come to them (us) and make their home with us. Then Jesus shares the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus calls the "Advocate," Who will teach us all things and Who will remind us of all things Jesus shared with us, and peace will come to us; thus they disciples would have peace for the rest of their journey to Jerusalem and for all that would be theirs til their return Home.
This was the peace that was mine when I set out to complete the beginning of my call into ministry. It first took me to Jacksonville, TX to a small college, then to Georgetown, TX, to a small university; then to Dallas for my seminary, then my journey of running away from God, to Denver where my journey would begin again, and it was because I was never alone. It was a calm feeling of knowing no matter the darkness of night on a lonely road in Colorado or dry, long open roads in Texas, God was with me. Then God blessed me with a beautiful woman willing to ride with me and we then felt that same peace of God with us.
This peace is not like the world’s version—fragile, dependent on circumstances, and easily broken. Christ’s peace is resilient. It is the kind that walks with you through doubt, carries you in suffering, and anchors you in love. It is the steady heartbeat of the resurrection echoing into our present moment.
He promises the Holy Spirit—the Advocate—to remind us of His truth, to be His continuing voice and presence. Easter is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a Spirit-led life. In this new life, we are not abandoned, but empowered. Not fearful, but at peace.
PRAYER: Risen Lord, Thank You for the peace that only You can give—peace that calms our fear, quiets our anxious hearts, and steadies us for the journey ahead. Remind us that Your resurrection is not just a past event but a living power within us today. Help us receive Your Spirit, walk in Your truth, and live as people of the resurrection. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take a moment today to welcome Christ’s peace into your life—and then offer that same peace to someone else who may need it. Let the Easter message become your daily mindset: new life, Spirit-filled living, and unshakable peace.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
