Daily Devotions
Today’s Reading: John 14:15-22 & Psalm 13
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18
Have you ever seen a toddler’s face when he realizes Mom and Dad have left? Even if left in the care of a loving teacher or compassionate baby-sitter—he feels abandoned. Orphaned. Of course, his feeling in no way reflects the facts.
Jesus knew His disciples would need help and support during the trying days ahead. They were about to see their Lord and Master betrayed, arrested, shamefully treated, and crucified. Would they feel abandoned? Alone? Most definitely. But then comes the fact of Easter … the fact of Pentecost. To His disciples He says, “It isn’t a matter of what you feel, but a matter of fact. I will come to you!”
Present-day disciples of Jesus need to hear His promise, too. The Bible, opened and read… I will come to you. Spoken words, grounded in His Word… I will come to you. Water joined by His Word, brushed on the forehead… I will come to you. Bread and wine blessed by that same Word, passed over lips and tongue… I will come to you. He comes and He sends His Spirit so we are never abandoned.
To make His promise secure, He willingly endured abandonment by God in our stead and on our account. We hear Him cry out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34). And in the silent darkness of Calvary, we listen for the Father’s reply—“For them. Because of them.”
We sometimes forget His promise. I will come to you. We think, “I just don’t deserve it.” And that’s right—that’s grace! I will come to you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, who suffered the depths of desolation for our sake, visit us with Your Spirit so we may hold firmly to the comfort and security found in Your promises and encourage others with these same promises; in Your holy name we pray. Amen.
Response
I will come to you—in what kinds of situations do you need to be reminded and assured of this fact?