Pentecost

June 9, 2019

Scripture Reading: John 14:8-17, 25-27

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 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. 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. –John 14:25-27

Jesus indicates in this scripture he realizes our love through our keeping his commandments. I think most of us know he summarized his understanding of the traditional Jewish commandments in Matthew 22:37-40. He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ If we read through the gospels, we see quoted several other of Jesus’ own commandments like Go and make Disciples (Matthew 28:19–20) but I wonder how many of those we follow.

Most of Jesus’ commandments that I can recall describe ways we should live and actions we should take. Jesus was very specific that we were not to judge one another. It seems to me we invest a lot of time in judging others and not much in living as Jesus commanded in our lives and in our interactions with others.

Our scripture above includes two commandments that we may tend to forget: Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Both are easier said than done and both rely heavily on our trusting that Jesus is the Christ and following his commandments is our hope for tomorrow.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!*

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for the great gift of your Spirit to guide and encourage us as we strive to do your work in our world today. Amen

*Third verse of Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Obediah Chisholm. See at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/19

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.