His Cross Our Hope预览

In fourth grade, my best friend Brandy told me she and her family were moving to another town. The thought of not seeing her, talking with her, and playing together every day left me with feelings of confusion, disappointment, and sadness. What was I going to do? Could her parents’ decision be reversed? The only aspects left of her would be memories and my half of the jaggedly-cut best friends forever charm necklace.

I imagine the disciples felt the same when Jesus told them He was going away. After all, the disciples had grown accustomed to being in Jesus’ presence, learning from Him, and ministering with Him. Now He was talking about leaving. Jesus was getting ready to die on the cross and rise again to be seated at the right hand of the Father, but the disciples had questions, for which Jesus had the perfect answer.

To help calm their fears, Jesus provided some comforting words. He said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18) Jesus was assuring His disciples that He had a gift for them that was better than any charm necklace or memory, topping any video call or voice message. Jesus informed His disciples that although He would no longer be present in the flesh, He would ask the Father to make a divine deposit of the Holy Spirit within each of them, to whom they could have access 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Jesus was not abandoning the disciples, and they would not lose His guidance, protection, or provision as orphans do when their parents pass away. The disciples would not lose His friendship, as we often do when people move. Jesus would be inside each of them as their ever-present help and advocate, just like He is inside every person who has accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Isn’t that good news?! What does it mean to know that Jesus lives on the inside of you today and that you have free access to Him any time you need Him?

~Quinnise Pettway

Author and blogger