Daily RCL Bible Reading Devotional – May 5th, 2016


Scripture Reading(s)


John 14:25-27

14:25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you.

14:26 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.

14:27 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.


Reflections


Lydia.jpgAnxiety and fear often strike us at our most vulnerable moments. Often we don’t feel equipped or ready to handle a situation that can be scary or lead to uncertainty. Unfortunately, anxiety is something that is very common among people and can leave one feeling emotionally and spiritually helpless.

This passage is referring to the time in which Christ is telling His disciples that He was about to leave them. However, scripture also tells us that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us and Jesus holds true to that promise! In verse 26, He tells them that though He is physically leaving them, that He is going to send an advocate in His place to lead, guide and protect His people. That helper is the Holy Spirit, and His Spirit still lives and abides in us today.

Furthermore, Christ also gives them another promise in verse 27. He promises to give them HIS peace. This is a kind of peace that will break through any fear that we have despite our present circumstance. The whole point of Christ’s peace is that when we come to face a hard and scary situation, that situation will not shake our faith and we will stand firm because we are clinging to God’s peace that will help us overcome anything we face in life.

Christ also says because we have His peace, He tells His disciples not to be afraid. Christ’s peace trumps our fears. When we are clinging to the one who will not allow for us to drown in our own fears, we experience our faith being strengthened and we see Christ work in our hearts in a way that we could never have imagined. Christ’s peace equals a firmness in His promises that He will always lead and guide us through the storms of life.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Lyrics by: Edward Mote.


Justin-Holmes1.jpgSome Christian denominations have differing beliefs about the role of the Holy Spirit. However, it is universally agreed upon that the Holy Spirit is supposed to guide us and teach us. Until we can be in Jesus’ presence we have the Spirit. This is why Jesus tells the disciples not to fear, even thought He is leaving the Spirit will take His place and help them continue the mission.

We can read further into the book of Acts and see just how powerful the Spirit was in the disciples. They healed the sick, performed miracles, casted out demons, and took the gospel to the ends of the known earth for their geographical location.

The same Spirit that was with the disciples is now with us. We should be confident that God will lead us through the Spirit. Do no be afraid and let you fears control you. Let the Spirit lead you and you will change the world.


 

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