December 13, 2010
"YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE"
John 14:18-31
Aimee Blevins
Central Truth
He will never abandon you! Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be God's presence inside us. We are not alone. Far from it! We have the abiding reminder of Jesus' victory over death and His ascension to heaven with power—the Holy Spirit in us!
Key Verse | John 14:18–20
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 14:18-20)
John 14:18-31
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
25 These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Dive Deeper | John 14:18-31
As the disciples thought about Jesus' departure, they felt like they were being abandoned by Him. But even though Jesus was leaving physically, He wasn't leaving the disciples completely. He wants to comfort them and asks his Father to send a counselor and helper (verse 16)—another one just like Him, the Holy Spirit. He makes an incredible promise to them. Not only will the Spirit dwell in them, but Jesus will also. For the disciples these truths became abundantly clear after the Resurrection when the Holy Spirit came to dwell in them. He caused them to see Jesus in all His glory.
So who is the Holy Spirit? He is seen as One who gives new life and enables us to understand God's purpose and God's redemption. He is an invisible being who empowers us to think, act, and love in accordance with Jesus' teachings. Therefore, He is able to teach, remind us of Jesus' words (verse 26), comfort, convict, and help us in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26).
As I mentioned above in my bio, I have a passion for the arts. Well, more specifically a love for musical theater. In reading this passage, I was immediately reminded of the beautiful musical, Carousel, by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The song "You'll Never Walk Alone" is sung to offer comfort and encouragement to the female protagonist, Julie Jordan, after her husband dies. This past year for me has been one of the most challenging but rewarding years emotionally and spiritually I have ever had. Just as Julie Jordan received comfort from a close relative, I have found comfort and received peace (verse 27) through my hardest trials, knowing that He is with me and that the Holy Spirit is living inside me.
Through the Bible we know the Holy Spirit is real. With active obedience to God's Word, we all can know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit on a personal and intimate level. When we have Christ in us, we will never walk alone!
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever felt you were all alone to fend for yourself?
2. If you are already a Christian because you have trusted in Jesus through faith, are you yielding to the person of the Holy Spirit in every part of your life?
3. How much time do you spend daily in reading and studying His truth so that you may obey Jesus' words as it says in John 14:23-24?
4. If obedience is proof of our love for Him, in what areas are you struggling most in obeying? Why?
5. Read John John 14:27. Are you presently living in peace? Remember, peace will come when you give your circumstances to Him. That's a promise!
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who did Jesus say He was going to leave with us (verse 26)?
2. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you receive the Holy Spirit. What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do (verse 26)?
3. What are some things Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would remind you of?