Jesus Comforts His Disciples

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Some messages are for emergencies—that is John 14. This chapter has cushioned the shock for millions of believers even to this present hour. Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (v. 1).

Read John 14:1-7.

Clearly, Jesus is saying He is God, and it’s not enough to just believe in a God but you must also have a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Next, Jesus hints at what He’s doing today: He’s preparing a place for His own. Once it’s ready, He’ll gather us together with Him. The disciples needed that hope when they heard the news about Jesus’ death. He now says, “Where I go you know, and the way you know” (v. 4).

How do we know the way? Thomas asked a good question—one that Jesus answered with the whole gospel in a nutshell: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (v. 6).

* When Jesus said He was “the Way,” He answers the question, How do I get to God?

* When Jesus said, “I am the Truth,” He says more than “I tell the truth.” He says, “I am the touchstone of truth.”

* Jesus also said, “I am the Life!” Everything draws life from Him.

* “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus made a dead-end street out of all alternative religions. The only way to get to God is through Jesus Christ.

Now’s a good time to ask you, friend, do you know Him? Are you trusting Him as your personal Savior and nothing else? He alone can save you.

When you pray in Jesus’ name, you’re praying for Him to be glorified. God doesn’t hear just any prayer; He only listens when you come in Jesus’ name and for His sake.

Read John 14:16-18.

Jesus says those who love Him will obey Him. You can’t say you love Him unless you obey Him. Jesus promises to make Himself known to those who love the Lord. Isn’t that an amazing promise?

As Jesus was going away, He promised God would send a Helper—the person of the Holy Spirit—who would live in them.

As Jesus’ last conversation with the disciples draws to an end, He says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (v. 27). This glorious, wonderful peace comes to those who fully yield themselves to His hand.

And with that, Jesus heads over to the Garden of Gethsemane where He will engage again with Satan. After winning that battle, He’ll go to the cross for the sins of the world and then the Holy Spirit will come into the world. Our prayer is that even right now He’s making the Lord Jesus real to everyone reading this.

Next, what does it mean to "abide" in Christ?

1. Why would Jesus’ promise of preparing a place for all who believe in Him be a source of comfort?

2. What does it mean that Jesus doesn’t just bring life, but that He is life?

3. In the absence of Jesus’ presence with His disciples, He promises to send the Holy Spirit to be with them. How can the Holy Spirit’s help comfort believers?