The Promise of Jesus

In several of my past appointments, we had a daycare.  Mornings are interesting in a daycare because parents hate to leave their children and children often don’t want to be left. Usually parents are worse than their kids.  Parents often act like they want their children to cry when they leave. Kids usually are happy to settle in with other children. I remember a two-year old who was upset and the teacher didn’t seem to be having any luck making him happy after his parents left him.  She tried toys and books and even carried him outside for a walk.  In desperation, she whispered five simple words in his ear, “I’ll stay with you.” The little fellow had a mood change and was quickly comforted.

Jesus did the same thing to His friends during the week of His crucifixion.  He said, “The Father…will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the spirit of truth (John 14: 16-17).  John 13-17 is commonly known as the Upper Room Discourse because Jesus spoke these words in the upper room where the Last Supper was held.  Jesus assured His disciples that when He returned to the Father, He wouldn’t abandon them.  He promised His peace (14:27) and asked the Father to give them “another advocate”. Parakletos is the word He used and it means one who helps, enables or comforts another person.

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says – “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus knew that he would ascend and go to the Father,  but that the spirit would stay and live within His people.  We, like the little boy in the daycare, need to know that we will not be alone.  Jesus says, “I will stay with you.” Jesus has promised that He will stay with us forever.

Prayer – Thank you Jesus for leaving your Spirit here to comfort us. We come seeking your peace so we can offer “your peace” to the world.  Amen.

John 14:16 – He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.

Author: Tommy Herndon